Captain Michael Clarke has refused to sling mud at Mickey Arthur over his explosive claims of discrimination and disunity within the Australian team.
But he made it clear new coach Darren Lehmann had united the dressing room.
Just two days out from the second Test at Lord’s with Australia trailing 1-0 in the Ashes series, Clarke’s team have been rocked by allegations of racial discrimination and cancerous feuds within its ranks by former coach Arthur.
Disgruntled after his sacking, Arthur is seeking up to $4 million in compensation or his job back from Cricket Australia, claiming he was racially discriminated against because of his South African background.
Arthur was sacked last month before the start of the Ashes series, with CA claiming he failed to arrest declining standards of discipline in the team, culminating with David Warner’s drunken night out in Birmingham.
Now Arthur is taking CA to court as he seeks payments and compensation through to the end of his 2015 contract.
The Seven Network alleged that documents tendered to court by Arthur said Clarke described former vice-captain Shane Watson as a cancerous influence on the team.
The skipper said the team were now as united as he’d ever seen under Lehmann.
“It’s no coincidence Darren played a big part in that. I think him as a man, as a gentleman brings that to the forefront. He was a great guy to play with and he’s no different as a coach,” he said.
“Decisions have been made and made for reasons. We’ve got a fantastic group with a great coach who has united us and we’re heading in the right direction.”
The reports allege Clarke had described Watson and his faction as “a cancer”, with Arthur calling himself the “meat in the sandwich” in the imbroglio.
Brad Haddin, the man who took over from Watson as vice-captain for this Ashes tour, said there was no feud between the opener and captain Clarke.
“The Australian dressing room is fine. There is no feud. I don’t know how many times we need to answer that,” said Haddin.
Arthur also allegedly said that Watson had tipped him off about the incident in which Australian opener Warner punched English batsman Joe Root in a bar before the series start.
Watson has previously denied that was the case.
Warner was subsequently fined and suspended and has since admitted guilt at playing a part in Arthur’s termination.
Arthur went on to say in the tendered document that CA did not support him over the ‘homeworkgate affair’ where four players were stood down from a Test in India for failing to do an assignment.
He alleged that he was discriminated against because he was from South Africa and did not understand the Australian way.
“We’re disappointed it has come to this position but Cricket Australia is confident in its position on this matter and I’m sure it will get resolved in an appropriate fashion,” CA lawyer Dean Kino told Seven.
Clarke said he didn’t want to trudge over old ground but is confident the drama won’t affect team preparations.
“The timing makes no difference to me. It doesn’t bother me whatsoever,” he said.
“My eyes are focused on one goal and that’s on winning this Test match. And I know everyone in that change room is exactly the same.”
Australian Cricketers Association chief executive Paul Marsh said he sympathised with Arthur’s situation, but is disappointed with the timing of the allegations becoming public.
“At Mickey’s departing press conference he talked about taking responsibility for the team’s performances and leaving the job with dignity,” Marsh said in a statement.
“I fail to see how this course of action is consistent with his words.”
pim
Guest
Deans did not have 2 years left of his contract & he officially "resigned" How can you compare?
Robz
Guest
Contracts in sport basically mean nothing these days. And what about the player / coach who leaves whilst they still have time on their contract to run - how much should they pay their (now-former) employer for leaving them in the lurch?
davos
Guest
maybe james ...I think he would carry a bit of taint ...but hey agreed ...it is a bad career move ...what he has done now
davos
Guest
but there was one who wouldn't toe the line in regard to team discipline ...there was one openly canvassing for another players posn ...and one who didn't mind dobbing in his mates if it meant he got his posn...also there was his dramatic return home ...(maybe it was all about his new kid )...and now the revelations that he was like a poisonous cancer ...of course were you to ask him ...he would deny that he had done anything wrong....and I almost forgot.... his media appearances to state catergorically that he did not dob in his team mates ...hands up all those who would like to be in the trenches with this bloke ?
davos
Guest
you obviously missed no capitol and there should be a comma after what ...who cares ? really!
Short-Blind
Guest
This is a sideshow - the real story is how Sutherland is teflon coated. Why the CA board hasn't sacked him for his less than stellar leadership would be interesting to know. He has taken on no accountability for the mess of the last 5 years yet keeps on truckin...has he got some photos or something? Sutherland will arrange a payout for Micky to cover up this (his) mess and Micky will go 'home' to Perth to enjoy his lifestyle and feel OK with his couple of mill and being surrounded by the plethora of South African accents that abound in 'little Durban' these days.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I thought I saw a CA internal counsel interviewed?
jameswm
Roar Guru
"its fairly obvious he was going to have trouble coaching at this level again after his sacking " I don't agree with that. Work it out mutually with CA to retain the dignity of both parties. It isn't that hard.
pope paul v11
Guest
Personal differences aside, this all stems from the Argus report giving the Capt and Coach selection powers, which they duly ballsed up and ostracised many. Best possible team on the park came last From the selection of the out of form or out of depth in Marsh, Quiney, Hastings. Then the absurd 5 bats that reigned from Sydney to New Delhi, coupled with the non allround allrounders. At least during Bradman vs the catholics and others, and Chappell gang vs Hughes, the selectors made sure the best men got on the track. Much repairing to be done.
budgie
Guest
He didnt do the job simple...thats why he was sacked nothing more....racism we are sick of the race card....like joining the fire brigade and dirty because you get sent to put out a fire"its dangerous"... D.D.
Martin D.
Guest
In my opinion, George Bailey would be the best captain available.
Simon
Roar Guru
That's what I assumed when I heard about the leaks. Trying to make out the dressing room was a killing field.
Simon
Roar Guru
May I ask what law firm is this?
Simon
Roar Guru
Your comment was also grammatically correct, sort of :p I suppose my point was that he will no longer be on a working visa in this country, now that he has said goodbye to any such coaching positions in the future.
budgie
Guest
Yes another joke Australia has to apologise to a foriegner again because HE DIDNT LIKE THE AUSTRALIAN way...well he should have know,people are sick of pulling the race card every time things dont go their way....sacked simple as that go by terms of contract....Also the law firm is a joke sensationalism especially on the eve of a test....ACB should use this in any defece especially if they can prove hings were "leaked " on purpose....how do you get 5 x your contracted pay.....At least Deans fell on his sword and went ..!!!!!
Simon
Roar Guru
There was no other bloke who punched an opposition player or abused a journalist.
Chui
Guest
And how well did it go for Fraser-Kirk even. Asked $37M. Got $850K. She would have seen bugger all of that The Oracle case. There's another I cant remember the details of. Not a good strike rate.
Badjack
Guest
Speaking of The Back Page, who is the the dribbling moron who took over from Gibbo? And their replacements for Billy B are as humorous as a sick dog on a chain.
JGK
Roar Guru
Yep. It worked well for Kristy Fraser-Kirk. Didn't work out so well for James Ashby. The fact that Arthur is even using them is telling.
AJ
Guest
Second point would be very interesting B.A. You would think that CA contracted players would have all manner of clauses in their contract about bringing CA into disrepute. Pup might be a bit conflicted. Ordinarily CA would attempt to settle this out of court lest it detract from the current tour, or heaven forbid the money spinning Ashes in Oz. Presumably this is theory behind Arthur's firm's valuation of the damages. They are banking on CA wanting swift and quiet resolution and figured they would take a punt on $4m. If they get it they get it, if they get some smaller amount at least they will know that they got as much as they could. I think the better approach would have been to entice Mickey to fall on his sword. It is a common tactic in football to leak to the press that if a team doesn't win "x" matches in the next month or loses some important clash that they will lose the support of the board. The press latches on. Applies the blow torch. Coach ends up quitting under weight of failed expectation.