Australia wicketkeeper Matthew Wade says his unbeaten century at the SCG against Sri Lanka was made even more special for the fact that it was achieved on a day aimed at raising awareness for cancer, something he himself overcame.

Wade battled testicular cancer as a 16-year-old and had to go through chemotherapy twice, so to get his second Test ton on McGrath Foundation Day was extra special to him.

The crowd at the SCG, and most commentators, where dressed in pink in honour of Glenn McGrath's late wife Jane, who died of breast cancer in 2008.

An emotional Wade said of his 102 not out: "It's an amazing feeling and to do it on a day like today with the McGrath Foundation Day it was something special. I'll never forget it.

"It was a special day for me to be a part of not only for myself but probably for my family, friends, and my fiancee was here."

Wade went on to thank his fellow batsmen for sticking with him to his ton, especially as he had to bat with the tail end for most of his knock. Peter Siddle did well to make 38 before falling in the morning, while number 11 Jackson Bird hung around long enough to see Wade to his ton.

Wade told ABC Grandstand: "Sidds has improved his batting out of sight, especially in the last two or three years.

"I had a lot of confidence in Sidds ... and Birdy had a really good game plan, a pretty simple game plan to get as far down the wicket and hit the ball off the spinner and luckily enough he stayed around for me.

"In Bird's last innings [in the Sheffield Shield] he had Mitchell Johnson bowling to him down in Tassie and apparently he hung around for an 80-run partnership down there, so I was full of confidence and you've just got to trust the bloke at the other end."

Aside from the McGrath festivities at the SCG, a lot of focus was on Michael Hussey, who is playing in his final Test for the Baggy Green. The veteran batsman gave the crowd a treat when he bowled an over near the end of the day.

Wade continued: "[The crowd's reaction to Hussey] has been awesome, he doesn't like that much so he was a little embarrassed by it all, but the crowd has embraced Hussey as one of their own this week.

"Hopefully they keep it up tomorrow. I'm not sure if he'll have a bat - fingers crossed he doesn't - but if he does it will be an amazing sight.

"I've heard a lot about [talk of Hussey opening] but if he gets his way, I'm sure he'll want it to stay the way it is."

Sri Lanka ended the day with a lead of 87, but with only three wickets in hand going into day four.