The Australian side will be honoured with a parade and a state reception in Melbourne upon their arrival tomorrow, while a second ticker-tape parade through Sydney is also planned for a later date.

Crowds at both events were expected to be huge, but the Sydney parade was in doubt as some players, who have been on the road since September, were expected to head off on holiday directly from Melbourne.

The Sydney celebrations could also be dampened by ongoing construction for the 2000 Olympics, which has narrowed roads and prompted the city to hire clowns to direct pedestrians.

The competition between the cities is at its hottest in the offices of the state premiers as Victoria's Jeff Kennett and New South Wales' Bob Carr try to out do each other.

Not to be left out, Canberra, thenation's capital, is also determined to show the country it cares about more than just politics.

In their jubilation at Australia's thrashing of Pakistan in the final, politicians have put party politics aside and come together to organise a federal parliamentary reception for the returning team next Monday.

``It was an absolutely outstanding performance,'' Prime Minister John Howard said.

``It was a great sporting contest and an enormous tribute to the Aussie fighting spirit in sport, and it made all Australians immensely proud.''

Regional rivalries aside, for the Australian players the chance to be among their fans again after months overseas was likely to spark the biggest celebration of all.

The celebrations were expected to be all the greater as Australian fans welcome home a team which only three weeks ago looked as if it was set for an early exit from the World Cup.

``We don't really know how big it is back in Australia but we're going to find out shortly,'' captain Steve Waugh said as heand his team left Britain for Australia.

``But I've got a fair idea by the amount of phone calls I got last night. I'm looking forward to getting back.''