LUKE Ronchi and Nathan Coulter-Nile have combined to stop a Queensland bowling onslaught and lead Western Australia to an upset three-wicket win over Sheffield Shield finalists Queensland at the Gabba.

FORMER Test opener Michael Slater says Michael Clarke risks never being named captain while his off-field life with swimsuit model Lara Bingle stays in the public domain.

Australian great Steve Waugh is backing Michael Clarke to make a name for himself as a future Test captain despite his current high-profile off-field troubles, reports said on Thursday.