Michael Clarke's publisher blocks talk of Dale Steyn feud at book launch Telling his side of the story: Michael Clarke at his book launch in Sydney on Friday. Michael Clarke has baulked at suggestions that relationships with South Africa, principally fast bowler Dale Steyn, require mending before the one-day series starting next week, saying he believed both teams maintained a "mutual respect" for each other. The personal duel between Clarke and Steyn has been eagerly awaited since they were involved in a heated incident in the closing stages of the third Test between Australia and South Africa in Cape Town in March. While the Australian captain apologised in public and in person for being "out of line" after the match, the Proteas quick ignited the subject again in August after the final of a triangular one-day series in Zimbabwe, indicating he had not forgiven Clarke for what had been said and he would "wait until I get to Australia" before giving his opponent a chance to resolve the issue. While Steyn said then that Clarke would need to shake his hand and assure him his apology from March was sincere, the Australian on Friday gave no indication he intended to settle the matter when asked if he would approach his rival before the first of five ODIs in Perth next Friday. I have no idea. I've made it very clear my thoughts on what happened after that Test match," Clarke said at the launch of his tour diary of last summer's Ashes triumph in Sydney. Flashpoint: Dale Steyn argues with Michael Clarke and James Pattinson on the fifth day of the Third Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town in March. In a bizarre scene, he was then cut off by a publicist. "We might hold it there," the publisher's representative said, before ending the news conference promptly and beginning to remove the cardboard backdrop of the book cover as Clarke stood by awkwardly behind a lectern. If only the Australians had defence like this over the past few weeks against Pakistan, they mightn't have returned home from the United Arab Emirates with their tails between their legs. Clarke, in fairness, answered the questions posed to him despite the interference run and with regard to Steyn clearly believes their clash in Cape Town was dealt with at the time and is ancient history. Steyn's difference of opinion on that, though, will make for an intriguing subplot when both nations' first-string teams come together again for the key World Cup warm-up series after the Twenty20 leg of South Africa's tour closes on Sunday night at ANZ Stadium. The tension in the Test series won 2-1 by Australia earlier this year stretched well beyond the stoush between Clarke and Steyn. David Warner was fined by the ICC for questioning whether the Proteas' vice-captain AB de Villiers had tampered with the ball to allow Steyn and the South African bowlers to gain reverse swing in the second Test at Port Elizabeth and de Villiers, the one-day captain, also said later there was "lots of personal stuff" levelled at South African batsmen while the Australians were in the field. Clarke, however, was adamant that relations between Australia and their international rivals were "very good." "I think (with) players in general across every country, the relationships are as good as I've ever seen them in my career," he said. Obviously I said after South Africa that I think both teams have that mutual respect for each other...extremely competitive on the field but I think there's no doubt there is that mutual respect. And India (who play four Tests against Australia this summer) is no different. I think you'll see this summer that both teams will fight it out hard on the field because we're really competitive and we want to win but off the field I think there's a fantastic relationship. Clarke explained why he had scolded Steve Smith for chatting genially to Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali at the non-striker's end on the first day of the second Test in Abu Dhabi last week. "There is a time and place ... especially the position of the game as well, we were trying to take wickets ... it's more on the field we're focused and dedicated to having success," he said. Off the field I love when guys are catching up for coffee, beers, because like I say I think friendship is important.