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Sydney – Australian paceman Glenn McGrath says the cricket World Cup winners are upset by allegations that Pakistani players may have thrown the final.

McGrath, speaking after about 100 000 fans watched the team parade the World Cup trophy through Sydney city centre yesterday, said the players didn’t believe Pakistan hadn’t tried their best.

“It’s very disappointing that people have to bring those allegations up,” McGrath said. “There’s nothing to them at all. If Pakistan had won, the players were set for life, they were heroes, but now look at it. We just outplayed them.”

Pakistan were thrashed after collapsing for 132 in just 39 overs in the final earlier this month. Reports have emerged that Pakistani secret agents monitored the players during the tournament and they claim the players partied, gambled and drank on the eve of the final. Gambling and drinking are forbidden by Islamic law.

In contrast to the national outrage in Pakistan, Australian fans have given their team an extended celebration.

Yesterday’s parade followed one in Melbourne last week when another 100 000 packed the streets for a ticker-tape parade.

Australian captain Steve Waugh said the players could not believe the depth of feeling.

“It’s just awesome,” said Waugh. “I think this has been the greatest week of our lives.”

In Birmingham, England, Pakistani skipper Wasim Akram said yesterday young cricketers would become too frightened to play for their country if the vilification that followed every loss continues.