Arthur calls Watson's faction a cancer in Test team

Melbourne - Sacked Australia coach Micky Arthur, who is planning to sue Cricket Australia (CA), has revealed that bitter factionalism has led to a rift between skipper Michael Clarke and Shane Watson.

The South African claimed that while Clarke wanted to embrace the need for discipline, Watson did not.

According to Channel Seven’s report, Arthur allegedly termed the role of Watson’s faction in the Test team as a cancer.

Arthur’s claims come at a time when Australia have suffered a loss in the first Ashes Test against England.

Channel Seven, which has access to court documents submitted by Arthur, revealed that Arthur has made explosive allegations of racial discrimination against CA.

Arthur also revealed that it was Watson who tipped him off about Dave Warner’s rowdy night out where the Australian opener punched England batsman Joe Root at a bar in Birmingham.

Warner was then fined $11,500 and suspended from the tour matches leading into the Ashes.

Arthur feels he was discriminated by CA because of his South African background and said he was not supported by CA during the “homeworkgate” affair in India.

Then vice-captain Watson, bowlers James Pattinson and Mitchell Johnson and batsman Usman Khawaja were sidelined from the third Test in Mohali for failing to complete a team survey.

Arthur, who is in South Africa for the funeral of his mother, will be back in Australia on Saturday.