Exultant Australian PM full of praise Click here for more on this story Posted: Friday June 18, 1999 10:57 AM   Australia's Tom Moody (center) celebrates with his teammates as they leave the field victorious after their match against South Africa. AP SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Prime Minister John Howard says Australian employers should show some understanding if workers turn up late Monday after watching the World Cup cricket final. Howard, once called a "cricket tragic" by former skipper Mark Taylor because of his intense love of the game, sat up with many of his compatriots to see Australia advance after a remarkable semifinal tie against South Africa. The match ended about 3.30 Friday morning Australian time leaving Howard among those feeling tired but exultant. Australia plays Pakistan in a final which will end a similar time on Monday morning in Australia. "I don't think everybody will be at work first thing on Monday morning and I think everybody will understand that," Howard said later. It brought back memories of his political rival Bob Hawke who, in 1983, said any employer who sacked a worker for not turning up after Australia claimed the America's Cup yacht race would be a "bum." "This has been an extraordinary series and for sheer excitement you couldn't beat last night," Howard said. "And you couldn't but feel an enormous admiration for our team because they were being bucketed, they were being written off ... and only a couple of weeks ago people were talking about them being out of the final six and definitely not in the semifinals," he said. He said Australian captain Steve Waugh was the key to Australia's victory. "I think the real turning point for the team and the thing that made last night possible in the first instance and really sets us up to win on Sunday was Steve Waugh's century in the encounter last weekend," Howard said. Waugh led Australia back from the brink of a defeat in a Super Sixes match against South Africa which would have knocked it out of the semis. "That is the best one-day innings I have seen, not only for the circumstances in which he batted but also for the pressure that he was under," Howard said. "And I would like to join I am sure millions of other Australians in congratulating the team in wishing them luck for Sunday."   Related information Stories Australia advances, World Cup semi ends in tie Ball-by-ball finish of Australia-South Africa semifinal Australia has psychological edge over S.Africa South Africa mourns semifinal defeat Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.