Australia's World Cup heroes return home

Belinda Clark faces the media © Getty Images

Australia's women cricketers arrived back in Perth with a record fifth World Cup in their possession, adding to the titles they won in 1978, 1982, 1988 and 1997

But Belinda Clark, the captain, and Steve Jenkin, the coach, admitted that it was the defeat in the 2000 tournament that spurred them on in South Africa. "One of the first things we did when I came on board was we didn't talk about the last World Cup," Jenkin said. "All we did think about was New Zealand was the World Cup holders.

"It didn't matter how many times we beat them, they were still the World Cup holders and we were never going to take that away from them. But we knew in 2005 we were going to be the World Cup holders and no-one's going to take it from our hands either."

Clark admitted defeat in 2000 had given the players a renewed sense of determination. "We haven't spoken about it for four years, it's all been fairly internal dwelling," she said. "I think you could see throughout the tournament people just dug their toes in and thought 'I'm not going to let this happen again'. You could see the way Karen [Rolton] batted it wasn't going to happen again."

Belinda Clark and Adam Gilchrist pose with the trophy © Getty Images

Adam Gilchrist was one of the dignitaries on hand to welcome the team, and he said that the win was another boost for Australian sport. "I think it says a great deal about Australian cricket that both teams are up there," he explained. "The planning and the time dedicated to junior development...it's no secret that the world over in both men's and women's cricket are trying to chase Australia."

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