Aussie cricketers make jubilant return

There is no rest for the wicked or the all-conquering Australian cricket team.

Less than 48 hours after retaining the World Cup, the majority of the Australian players were already counting down the hours at home before departing for the Caribbean.

A weary, hungover but still jubilant national team touched down in Perth for its only public celebration in front of about 7,000 people at Forrest Place.

Such is the shortage of time it was decided to hold the one-off reception in Perth so players could spend more time off with families and friends.

The players depart for the West Indies on Monday and will have had almost 37 of 40 weeks on tour at the conclusion of the two-month tour.

The hero of Sunday's World Cup final and newly-appointed Test vice captain Ricky Ponting said the grinding workload was tough on the players after the two-month African journey.

"But saying that we've been there and done it all before - we've been used to this sort of programming now for the last three or four years, so it's not too much of a shock to us," he said.

"But there is no doubt that everyone here would like to have a few more days at least at home to see their families and friends."

Ponting said Test warhorses in captain Steve Waugh and opener Justin Langer would add spark to the side having spent their energies in state cricket over the past couple of months and not the World Cup.

The Australians will have plenty to play for in the Caribbean after Brian Lara's heroics ensured the four Test series was locked at 2-2 in 1999, in Waugh's first outing as national captain.

"We probably went over there expecting to win pretty comfortably last time and we were really tested in a couple of games by Lara," he said.

"He really changed the course of the whole series last time.

"So I'm sure Steve is looking forward to playing again and Justin (Langer) has had a few weeks off as well, so those guys coming back into the side will drag all the rest of us along with them I'm sure."

"We're all looking forward to putting the white clothes back on."

Meanwhile John Buchanan, who will be making his first tour of the West Indies as national coach, said he didn't think he would have any troubles getting the players up for the West Indies despite the gruelling set of fixtures.

"I think the bottom line is that's the essence of this team, and these players, that they are able to confront whatever the situation and perform exceptionally well so I don't see that being any different once we get there."

Unlucky paceman Jason Gillespie, who had to pull out of the Australian team midway through the World Cup, said he was recovering well from a foot injury.

The South Australian expected to be fit in time for the opening Test of the four-match series starting April 10 in Georgetown.