A replica urn and crystal trophy were in attendance, along with Australia’s Unchangeables – the same XI who beat England in every Test – and thousands of delighted supporters cheering their heroes.
Clarke told them of the players’ pride at whitewashing the tourists, and PM Abbott spoke of a “champion” team who had “whipped” England. Addressing the crowd, Clarke thanked all those who have cheered his team on this winter. “I’m extremely proud. It’s an amazing achievement,” he said. “The players are extremely proud, and I think every single one of the public should be as well.
“The work the guys have put in over a long period of time, we’ve finally got the rewards. It’s extremely satisfying, and shows hard work does pay off.”
Opener David Warner was unrepentant about his goading of opponents and said: “Apparently I said some rude things that were picked up on stump mic, that you can’t say – but I don’t recall any of them.”
Pace bowler Mitchell Johnson, especially, could reflect on a series of redemption after his many previous Ashes struggles, during which he was often the butt of jokes among the English crowd.
“It’s just been amazing,” he said. “The Barmy Army have given me a hard time over the years.
“So it was nice to put up five fingers for the 5-0 win – to be sat up here now, just seeing all the smiling faces, it’s really cool.”
Abbott emphasised how much any Ashes success means to Australia, let alone a whitewash. “It is an extraordinary honour to congratulate this champion team, and this team of champions,” he said.
“Summer means cricket. A good summer is Australia versus England, and a great summer is where Australia beats England. And didn’t we whip them?”