Howard Cricket Team The Australian 3 May 2007

MAY 3 2007: Not wanted at last minute:
John Stapleton
THE Australian cricket team made a triumphant return to Australia yesterday, showered with superlatives by politicians and mobbed by ordinary fans.

The team landed in Sydney shortly after five am from their history making third successive World Cup win.
After passing through customs at Sydney airport team captain Ricky Ponting and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist emerged proudly holding the World Cup trophy between them.

They braved a frenzy of photographers with grins from ear to ear and signed autographs for more than 100 waiting fans. It was just be beginning of a long day.

At an official breakfast at the Sydney Cricket Ground Prime Minister John Howard welcomed them back ``on behalf of a very proud and grateful cricket-loving nation''. He congratulated the team on a ``stunning performance'' and said ``you've warmed the cockles of the hearts of of those who see cricket as the greatest game that the world has ever seen, and a game at which Australia are unsurpassed as world champions''.

The Prime Minister paid particular tribute to ``the wonderful'' Glenn McGrath, who he described as ``an ornament to Australian cricket for many years''. McGrath's appearances yesterday were his last official acts before retiring.

``He is the greatest fast bowler of his generation, and many would say he ranks with the very greatest that the game has seen,'' Howard said.

Both Mr Howard and retiring fast bowler Glenn McGrath addressed the breakfast, hosted by major sponsors of Cricket Australia, including Emirates Australia and Mastercard.

"It has been a fantastic morning," said Cricket Australia spokesman Lachy Patterson.

``There has been a lot of excitement with the Australian team winning its third succesive World Cup. The team is very happy with the win and very happy to be home, they have been away for nearly 50 days.''

The cricket squad then fronted thousands of fans at a public reception at Martin Place in central Sydney at midday with NSW Premier Morris Iemma. The function included a special video tribute to McGrath at his last official function as an Australian player. ``How good does this get, World Cup champions undefeated,'' the Premier said, after being booed by the otherwise exuberant crowd. ``We should all be very proud. ``These guys were better, fitter, faster, more skillful than any of their opponents. Nothing can take away from the achivements of this team, they are a credit to the entire nation.''

The NSW Premier then presented Ponting with a State Achievement Award. Ponting said the team had celebrated long and hard since claiming the World Cup. ``I am extremely proud of what everyone of these guys have achieved. The whole team played a standard of cricket we have probably never seen before.''

Of the Australian team's renowned ability to celebrate, he said: ``I am feeling more refreshed than I was two days ago that is for sure. The celebrations were long and hard which is what they should be after you win a World Cup.

``It has been an amazing couple of months of our lives and even more amazing last few days.''
Host of the Martin Place celebrations, sports  Ken Sutcliffe, introduced retiring coach John Buchanan as having done ``a magnificent job''. To enthusiastic applause the coach said paid tribute to the team he so successfully led: ``It is unusual to have a batting and bowling team that have worked so well together. It has been a great pleasure and a great ride.''

With a great sense of occasion, Cricket Australia Chairman Creagh O'Connor presented each member of the team with a gold ring marking the 2007 World Cup victory.

Man of the Series and in many ways man of the day, champion bowler Glenn McGrath