Australian players sheltered behind dark glasses Monday at a public reception the day after their victory over New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup final.Captain Michael Clarke carried the World Cup trophy and, as the players mounted the stage in front of thousands of fans at open-air Federation Square, they smiled wanly and waved to the crowd.
Clarke was asked what the over-riding emotion was on the day after Australia had achieved its fifth World Cup and he grinned and said: "We're all a bit hung over to be honest."
It had been a late night, and an even earlier morning. Australian newspapers and websites ran photographs Monday of coach Darren Lehmann and players, still in their team uniforms, holding the trophy on a hotel balcony as the sun rose over Melbourne.
After speeches from the Australian deputy prime minister and other government dignitaries on Monday, Clarke told fans how vital their support had been in the team's victory. He said the Australian side had embraced the pressure and expectation of playing at home and had executed their game plan calmly and efficiently throughout the tournament, culminating in its seven-wicket win Sunday night at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The players then left the stage to mingle with the crowd, signing autographs and posing for photographs.
New Zealand will have its own, more muted celebration on Tuesday with a welcome home parade in downtown Auckland. The parade was planned before the outcome of the final was known but with the understanding it would go ahead whatever of the outcome of the final.
For more, read the AP news story.
New Zealand’s Grant Elliott and Dan Vettori talk while batting against Australia during the Cricket World Cup final in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, March 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
South Africa's AB de Villiers falls over as he attempts a run out during their Cricket World Cup semifinal against New Zealand in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, March 24, 2015. (AP Photo/David Rowland)
Australia's James Faulkner spits while fielding during the Cricket World Cup final against New Zealand in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, March 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)
South African bowler Imran Tahir appeals to the umpire for a dismissal during their Cricket World Cup quarterfinal match against Sri Lanka in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, March 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
New Zealand’s Kane Williamson dives as he fields the ball while bowling against South Africa during their Cricket World Cup semifinal in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, March 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Ross Setford)
Pakistan's Shahid Afridi drops a catch during their Cricket World Cup match against the West Indies in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Ross Setford)
A Indian fan holds up her national flag as she cheers her team during their Cricket World Cup quarterfinal match against Bangladesh in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)
New Zealand’s Luke Ronchi avoids a ball from Australian bowler Mitchell Starc during their Cricket World Cup match in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015. (AP Photo Ross Setford)
South African bowler Dale Steyn celebrates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan during their Cricket World Cup quarterfinal match in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, March 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
England's Ian Bell reacts after he is out bowled for 49 runs by Sri Lanka's Suranga Lakmal during their Cricket World Cup match in Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday, March 1, 2015. (AP Photo Ross Setford)
Bangladesh’s Rubel Hossain, left, celebrates with teammate Mahmudullah, right, after taking the wicket of India's Virat Kohli during their Cricket World Cup quarterfinal match in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
West Indies Andre Russell bowls a delivery during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match against India in Perth, Australia, Friday, March 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Theron Kirkman)
West Indies Darren Sammy waits near the boundary while fielding during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match South Africa in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Feb. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Former Australian cricketer Shane Warne takes a "selfie" photograph with Indian supporters during their Cricket World Cup semifinal between India and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, March 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
South Africa's Dale Steyn shows the ball after taking a catch to dismiss Pakistan batsman Ahmad Shahzad during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, March 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Ross Setford)
Zimbabwe's Raza Butt falls on the ground as he takes a catch to dismiss India's Rohit Sharma during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, March 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Ross Setford)
Ireland's John Mooney rests on the ground after he missed a catch chance during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match against India in Hamilton, New Zealand, Tuesday, March 10, 2015. (AP Photo/Ross Setford)
Afghanistan’s Hamid Hassan reacts after taking a catch to dismiss Scotland's Josh Davey during their Cricket World Cup Pool A match in Dunedin, New Zealand, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Dianne Manson)
Bangladesh’s Mashrafe Mortaza, right, is embraced by teammate Taskin Ahmed as he celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Joe Root during their Cricket World Cup Pool A match in Adelaide, Australia, Monday, March 9, 2015. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
South Africa's Imran Tahir, bottom, appeals with his teammates for a wicket during their Cricket World Cup quarterfinal match against Sri Lanka in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, March 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
A Indian cricket supporter cheers on her team during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match against the West Indies in Perth, Australia, Friday, March 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Theron Kirkman)
A South African fan holds up his national flag during their Cricket World Cup pool B match against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Theo Karanikos)
Spectators watch the Cricket World Cup Pool A match between England and Bangladesh in Adelaide, Australia, Monday, March 9, 2015. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
West Indies batsman Darren Bravo lies on the ground after he was struck by a ball as Pakistan's Younus Khan checks on him during their Cricket World Cup match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Ross Setford)
Pakistan supporters hold up banners as they cheer on their team during the Cricket World Cup quarterfinal match against Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Friday, March 20, 2015. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
Afghanistan’s Hamid Hassan is watched by his teammates as he performs a hand-stand after taking a catch to dismiss Scotland's Josh Davey during their Cricket World Cup Pool A match in Dunedin, New Zealand, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Dianne Manson)
Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah leaps in the air as he celebrates after scoring a century while batting against New Zealand during their Cricket World Cup Pool A match in Hamilton, New Zealand, Friday, March 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Ross Setford)
Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan reacts as he leaves the field after he was dismissed for 44 runs during their Cricket World Cup match against England in Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday, March 1, 2015. (AP Photo Ross Setford)
Pakistan's Sarfraz Ahmed rests on his bat after he was run out for 49 runs during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match against South Africa in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, March 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Ross Setford)
South Africa's Francois Du Plessis dives to make his ground while batting against New Zealand during their Cricket World Cup semifinal in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, March 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Ross Setford)
Bangladesh bowler Nasir Hossain celebrates after taking the wicket of New Zealand’s Ross Taylor during their Cricket World Cup Pool A match in Hamilton, New Zealand, Friday, March 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Ross Setford)
India's Ravichandran Ashwin bowls as a seagull flies past during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match against the West Indies in Perth, Australia, Friday, March 6, 2015. (AP Photo / Theron Kirkman)
A Indian supporter blows on a shell as he supports his team during their Cricket World Cup quarterfinal match against Bangladesh in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)
South Africa's Dale Steyn, left, is embraced by teammate David Miller after taking a catch to dismiss Pakistan batsman Ahmad Shahzad during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, March 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Ross Setford)
Australia's Mitchell Johnson leaps in the air as he celebrates after taking the wicket of India's Rohit Sharma, left, during their Cricket World Cup semifinal in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, March 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
South Africa's Francois Du Plessis plays at the ball as Ireland's wicketkeeper Gary Wilson watches during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match in Canberra, Australia, Tuesday, March 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Australia's Pat Cummins ducks under a ball during their Cricket World Cup match against New Zealand in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015. (AP Photo Ross Setford)
South Africa's Imran Tahir reacts after his team's four wicket loss to New Zealand in their Cricket World Cup semifinal in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, March 24, 2015. (AP Photo/David Rowland)
Australia's Steve Smith celebrates after scoring a century while batting against India during their Cricket World Cup semifinal in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, March 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Bangladesh’s Taskin Ahmed, right, celebrates with his teammate Mashrafe Mortaza after taking the wicket of India's Ajinkya Rahane during their Cricket World Cup quarterfinal match in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)
South Africa's Rilee Rossouw fields the ball during their Cricket World Cup pool B match against India in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Theo Karanikos)
India's Suresh Raina, left, looks at the bat of his partner Ajinkya Rahane during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match against the West Indies in Perth, Australia, Friday, March 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Theron Kirkman)
England batsman James Taylor reacts after he was dismissed by Bangladesh bowler Taskin Ahmed, left, during their Cricket World Cup Pool A match in Adelaide, Australia, Monday, March 9, 2015. Bangladesh defeated England by 15 runs. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
India's Rohit Sharma celebrates after scoring a century while batting against Bangladesh during their Cricket World Cup quarterfinal match in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)
South Africa's AB De Villiers throws his bat in frustration after he was run out during their Cricket World Cup pool B match against India in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Theo Karanikos)
Pakistan bowler Rahat Ali, left, celebrates after taking the wicket of South Africa's Kyle Abbott, right, during their Cricket World Cup Pool B match in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, March 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Ross Setford)
India's Rohit Sharma is bowled for 137 runs while batting against Bangladesh during their Cricket World Cup quarterfinal match in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)
Sri Lanka's Kusal Perera drops a catch during their Cricket World Cup quarterfinal match against South Africa in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, March 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Australian players watch a giant screen as they review an appeal for a catch during their Cricket World Cup semifinal against India in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, March 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Pakistan's Wahab Riaz blows a kiss to Australia's Shane Watson, left, during their Cricket World Cup quarterfinal match in Adelaide, Australia, Friday, March 20, 2015. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
Bangladesh players celebrate after they defeated England by 15 runs in their Cricket World Cup Pool A match in Adelaide, Australia, Monday, March 9, 2015. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
Bangladesh players celebrate after they defeated England by 15 runs in their Cricket World Cup Pool A match in Adelaide, Australia, Monday, March 9, 2015. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
Pakistan's Wahab Riaz, right, celebrates with teammate Sohail Khan, left, as they celebrate their 29 run win over South Africa in their Cricket World Cup Pool B match in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, March 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Ross Setford)
New Zealand's Matt Henry reacts while bowling to Australia's Steve Smith during the Cricket World Cup final in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, March 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Bangladesh's Imrul Kayes lies on the ground after he was run out for five runs while batting against India during their Cricket World Cup quarterfinal match in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, March 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, left, talks with his bowler Dan Vettori during the Cricket World Cup final against Australia in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, March 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
South Africa's Morne Morkel, left, is consoled by teammate after their four wicket loss to New Zealand in their Cricket World Cup semifinal in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, March 24, 2015. (AP Photo/David Rowland)
Australian players celebrate after they defeated New Zealand by seven wickets to win the Cricket World Cup final in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, March 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Australia's Steve Smith, left, and teammate Shane Watson celebrate after defeating New Zealand by seven wickets to win the Cricket World Cup final in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, March 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Australian captain Michael Clarke holds the trophy aloft with his teammates as they celebrate their seven wicket win over New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup final in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, March 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)
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Text from the AP news story, Bleary-eyed Australians celebrate World Cup Win, by Steve McMorran.
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