'Proud to be Australian' Melbourne welcomes Cricket World Cup winners Click here for more on this story Posted: Wednesday June 23, 1999 08:39 PM   Rolling out the red carpet: Steve Waugh (right) and Shane Warne enjoy the adulation of the fans. Hamish Blair/Allsport MELBOURNE, Australia (CNN/SI) -- The city of Melbourne came to a virtual standstill Wednesday as it welcomed home Australia's World Cup winning cricket team. An estimated 150,000 fans lined the streets to cheer their heroes on, as the team went by in open top cars during a ticker-tape parade. "I'm proud to be Australian today, it's just unbelievable," said captain Steve Waugh. "These are times that the players will never forget." Waugh was in the last car, along with Cup final Man of the Match Shane Warne. The pair held the trophy aloft together. Some fans were decked in the national flag while others colored their hair green and yellow. Even the police applauded the world champion players. Steve Waugh, who with his brother Mark had a bitter-sweet homecoming due to the death of their grandfather after the World Cup final, looked over the crush and said the reception made all the sacrifices worthwhile. Warne, who will take time out to decide if he wants to continue his international career, grinned for the length of the journey. The hometown idol lapped it up, punching the confetti-filled air in a victory salute. The legspinner then saluted the crowd military style and the army of supporters responded with a roar of "Warnie, Warnie, Warnie." He was asked if he was still considering retiring and told the crowd to wait and see. The fans had a vote on whether he should continue one of the most celebrated bowling careers in world cricket and the response was a resounding "aye". The team had arrived home early Wednesday looking disheveled, bleary-eyed and still hungover. A crowd of about 600 was at Melbourne Airport to see Steve Waugh emerge with the Cup. "We didn't know what to expect but obviously it's a big thing back here," Waugh said. "The guys didn't realize quite how big it was but we knew there was a lot of support." Waugh clung on to the World Cup as fans moved in to congratulate him and his teammates. "My arms are killing me because it's pretty heavy but we haven't let it out of our sights," he said of the trophy. "It's great to have it and we'll be holding onto it as long as we can. I knew deep down the team was good enough." Waugh said many players were overwhelmed by the response, believing the magnitude of their success was only just starting to sink in. Waugh said he was looking forward to seeing his family and would not commit to defending the Cup in four years. "I don't know what I'm doing in four weeks time, let alone four years," he said. "If I don't I am sure there are a lot of guys that will make sure this trophy is going to be very hard to take away from us."   Related information Stories Warne takes time over decision to retire Australia prepares to welcome home World Cup winners Aussies won World Cup, tied 'real' final Australia thrashes Pakistan to win World Cup Multimedia Captain Steve Waugh talks about the fan support overseas. (112 K) Shane Warne talks about this special day. (82 K) 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. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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