Melbourne: The whole of Australia rejoiced after their fifth World cup triumph on Sunday as the party continued for hours after they had lifted the trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
A public event at Federation Square here at 11.30 am on Monday must surely have been too early for the team who were celebrating their victory way into the night. However, the entire team of 15 players and coach Darren Lehmann arrived on time for the event and positioned themselves on the stage as the crowd cheered for them.
When Australian skipper Michael Clarke completed his post-match press conference on Sunday, it was close to midnight. Journalists too hardly slept since it was nearly 1.30am by the time they left the Press box. larke, Lehmman and all the other players were freely available for fans to pose for photos or sign autographs. Some posed with fans for selfies, and prominent among them was pace Mitchell Johnson, who was only too eager to click selfies with fans.
Aaron Finch said that he did not get time to change from his team jersey till about one hour before the public function.
George Bailey, the team’s regular 12th man, was the first to be introduced to the waiting crowd. The ever-smiling Bailey received a huge applause. He was still wearing the orange vest that was on him throughout the tournament as the 12th man. After the match, Bailey lauded his teammates: “I’ll tell you what, I couldn’t think of a better team to sit on the sidelines and watch.” Bailey had played only one match when he had captained Australia against England since Clarke was recovering from his injury.
Clarke, of course, received the loudest cheers. Player of the tournament Mitchell Starc and Man of the Final James Faulkner thanked the fans for turning out in large numbers at the MCG to support them. Amidst the loud cheers, Clarke said: “There was a bit of added pressure being a home World Cup, but I think that was something we embraced.”
Finch, who was playing in front of his home crowd, said: “You always dream about this as a kid; and to have it finally happen especially at home at the MCG is an amazing feeling.
Crowd favourite Glenn Maxwell, who had shaved off his beard before the final, said: “I was just hoping we didn’t lose another wicket because then I would have had to walk out there and I was pretty nervous. That was as good as it gets, home final, MCG, 93,000, it doesn’t get better than that!” He posed with fans holding the front page of local newspaper that had a full page picture of the team with the headline - ‘Kings of the World.’ He autographed it and returned it to the fan.
Faulkner said: “I get tossed the ball when the skipper wants me to bowl, and normally it’s in the power play. I like that job. Today it worked out for us.”
Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin thanked the supporters: “The crowd support we’ve got and how much all of Australia appreciate this effort has made it an enjoyable four weeks.”
Melbourne Mayor Lord Robert Doyle, Victoria Sports Minister John Eren and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss were present at the reception.
The Australian team and their support staff have hit the jackpot with this victory, as they would share the World Cup prize money of $3.975 million (Dh14.59 million) equally among the team members.
