Michael Clarke, Australia's captain, has all but guaranteed Ricky Ponting his place in the team's next Test assignment, at home against South Africa in November.

Michael Clarke has capped off his remarkable first year as Australia's captain by taking home his third Allan Border Medal.

Australia spin legend Shane Warne on Tuesday found himself in the middle of a road rage incident when a cyclist hit the bonnet of his car at a traffic light here.

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine's career was thrown into jeopardy after South Australia's state coach Darren Berry revealed that the Aussie was a lon way away from playing cricket again due to his latest finger injury.

The major overhaul of Australian cricket has moved from the field to the boardroom, with senior officials supporting a structural change which chairman Wally Edwards has described as "the most sweeping reforms in our 106-year history."

Senior batsman Mike Hussey on Monday urged besieged opener Phillip Hughes to back his natural game after being retained in Australia's Test squad.

Former Test opener Simon Katich was reprimanded by Cricket Australia on Monday for making a "detrimental public comment" about captain Michael Clarke after his axing from the Australian squad.

A defiant Simon Katich is likely to fight the detrimental public comment charge laid against him by Cricket Australia with his manager claiming that the axed opener knew he would land in trouble for blaming Michael Clarke for his ouster.

Michael Hussey, the Australia batsman, has said captain Michael Clarke enjoys the full support of his team-mates and that Australia are headed in the right direction under Clarke's leadership.

Australia's Test and ODI captain Michael Clarke is "very confident" that none of his teammates are involved in match-fixing and says he is surprised by the allegations made against them by a London-based bookie.