Australia captain Michael Clarke has refused to comment on the claims made by former skipper Ricky Ponting in his autobiography At the Close of Play.

The pair are said to have not spoken since Ponting hit out against Clarke's vice-captaincy and his former relationship with model Lara Bingle.

"I've said what I had to say on that issue," BBC Sport quotes Clarke as saying. "Ricky has my number.

"I'm very focused on what's in front of me and making sure I'm as well prepared as I can be for this first Sheffield Shield game and then obviously a huge summer ahead."

Clarke could make a return from a back injury for New South Wales on Wednesday.