Michael Clarke: Australia will not cross the line

Australia's captain Michael Clarke bowls a ball as members of the
Indian and Australian teams meet at a public event in Melbourne.
Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images

The Australian captain Michael Clarke says that his team will not cross the line and create any controversy.

"Both teams understand where we're at. I think the relationship between the Australia team and India team could not be stronger," Clarke said.

"I can guarantee you nobody in the Australian team will cross that and if they do, there will be punishments from the ICC and also Cricket Australia. We'll be doing everything in our power to play some really competitive, tough cricket, but we understand and acknowledge that we won't cross that line."

Several controversial incidents occurred during India's last tour of Australia in 2007/08,  including Harbhajan Singh being fined for using abusive language towards Andrew Symonds. The spinner was frustrated by several decisions going against him in the second Test at the SCG.

Symonds and Harbhajan have since played together in the Indian Premier League, and Clarke said the Twenty20 tournament had allowed players from the two countries to form close friendships.