Mickey Arthur has alleged Cricket Australia were guilty of racial discrimination by dismissing him as national team coach.
Arthur is suing Australia's governing body for £2.4m, claiming that he was sacked because he was South African and "didn't understand the Australian way."
And Arthur - replaced by Darren Lehmann as coach shortly before the Ashes - also claims that Australia captain Michael Clarke stated that all-rounder Shane Watson's presence in the dressing room is "a cancer."
The allegations came just two days before skipper Clarke and Watson - his former vice-captain - go into battle together in the second Ashes Test at Lord's.
Arthur was dismissed as coach last month, and court papers submitted as part of his action against CA reportedly state that there was "major tension" between Clarke and Watson, according to Seven News.
Arthur is also reported to have claimed that it was Watson who tipped off management about the incident in a Birmingham pub in which David Warner punched England batsman Joe Root.
A Cricket Australia spokesman, asked to comment on the allegations, said: "Cricket Australia is confident in its position regarding legal matters with Mickey Arthur and is sure it will get resolved in an appropriate manner."
Brad Haddin, who replaced Watson as vice-captain, insists the squad is united.
"I think everyone was surprised (by Arthur's sacking) but there's no point talking about it anymore. We've gone past all this, we're moving forward with the campaign," he said.
"We're all pretty excited to be in an Ashes campaign. Darren's done a wonderful job, like all our staff and players.
"All the other stuff that we can talk about is white noise so it's not something that has affected the side at all.
"I'm not going to get into what ifs and who was better than this and who was wasn't as good as this; our job is to just get on with this campaign."
Arthur is suing Australia's governing body for £2.4m, claiming that he was sacked because he was South African and "didn't understand the Australian way."
And Arthur - replaced by Darren Lehmann as coach shortly before the Ashes - also claims that Australia captain Michael Clarke stated that all-rounder Shane Watson's presence in the dressing room is "a cancer."
The allegations came just two days before skipper Clarke and Watson - his former vice-captain - go into battle together in the second Ashes Test at Lord's.
Arthur was dismissed as coach last month, and court papers submitted as part of his action against CA reportedly state that there was "major tension" between Clarke and Watson, according to Seven News.
Arthur is also reported to have claimed that it was Watson who tipped off management about the incident in a Birmingham pub in which David Warner punched England batsman Joe Root.
A Cricket Australia spokesman, asked to comment on the allegations, said: "Cricket Australia is confident in its position regarding legal matters with Mickey Arthur and is sure it will get resolved in an appropriate manner."
Brad Haddin, who replaced Watson as vice-captain, insists the squad is united.
"I think everyone was surprised (by Arthur's sacking) but there's no point talking about it anymore. We've gone past all this, we're moving forward with the campaign," he said.
"We're all pretty excited to be in an Ashes campaign. Darren's done a wonderful job, like all our staff and players.
"All the other stuff that we can talk about is white noise so it's not something that has affected the side at all.
"I'm not going to get into what ifs and who was better than this and who was wasn't as good as this; our job is to just get on with this campaign."