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.

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