Warne comments unsettling Australian side: Waugh

Steve Waugh suspects former teammate Shane Warne's recent comments would have had an unsettling effect on Australia's World Cup squad.

Warne recently claimed Cricket Australia officials "tried to break" good friend Michael Clarke during the captain's recovery from hamstring surgery.

Last weekend, the legendary legspinner noted coach Darren Lehmann must be careful and ensure Clarke is running the team.

It looms as an unwanted distraction for Australia, who face New Zealand in a crunch clash at Eden Park on Saturday.

"It's definitely unsettling for the team," Waugh told News Corp Australia.

"I think they've gone beyond the chuckle point for this one.

"There's a lot of comments and then retraction of comments ... 'I didn't say this, didn't mean it that way'.

"At the end of the day it's something the team doesn't need."

Mark Waugh and Matthew Hayden have also questioned the antics of former teammate Warne.

The situation is complicated by the fact Warne is close with both Clarke and Lehmann.