Clarke: Sacking will not impact my friendship with players

"I don't think it will have any impact on my friendship with the four guys because I know I've got the respect of those guys and they know how much I respect them. That's probably why I feel comfortable fronting players on these issues.

"I think it would be easy to walk away and let things slide. But they know how much I love playing for Australia like they do," Clarke was quoted as saying by the Australian media.

Clarke said Watson has no reason to fear being axed as vice-captain. "A lot of people will ask about Watson and the vice-captaincy. I absolutely believe he can bounce back from this and be the vice-captain again."