Australian captain Michael Clarke has elected to stay out of the simmering ball tampering allegations against England at the Champions Trophy, saying it’s ultimately up to the umpires to adjudicate on.

England progressed to Sunday’s ICC one-day final at the expense of South Africa but are still fuming that former Test bowler Bob Willis opened a can of worms by suggesting players were deliberately tampering with the ball to create reverse swing.

Willis didn’t name him, but Ravi Bopara is widely known as the man in the England line-up chiefly responsible for working on the ball.

In their second Champions Trophy match against Sri Lanka, umpire Aleem Dar changed the ball due to its condition – however England captain Alastair Cook maintains that’s because it was deemed out of shape.

Clarke was in London receiving treatment on his back injury the Saturday before last when England’s reverse swing proved vital in their 48-run win over Australia in Birmingham.

The skipper’s stand-in George Bailey said at the time he was “very surprised” how quickly England had managed to reverse the ball and later maintained his scepticism when he said it was something for officials to keep an eye on.

Clarke said ball tampering shouldn’t be tolerated but said he’d leave the England matter up to the umpires.

“I haven’t taken any notice of that to be honest,” Clarke said.

“Like a lot of things, if it affects the integrity of the game it certainly shouldn’t be allowed.

“I don’t think there’s any place in the game for ball tampering, but in saying that I think it’s the job of the umpires on the field to make that decision.

“Certainly I haven’t taken any notice. If something comes of it I’m sure I’ll read about it.”

Proteas captain AB de Villiers also commented on the issue prior to his team’s semi-final loss to England, saying he’d be concerned if his opponents were “doing something funny with the ball.”

However de Villiers said he had no proof of illegality.