The Australian Cricket Board will take no action against captain Steve Waugh after a hostile ending to his post match media conference following his team's exit from the tri series.

ACB chief executive James Sutherland said he had spoken to Waugh about the incident after Australia's loss to South Africa at the WACA, when the skipper swore under his breath as he left the conference and muttered that some journalists were "on thin ice".

His anger surfaced after repeated questions on the possibility of changes to the Australian one-day side following its failure to make the tri series finals for just the third time in 22 years.

Waugh, who acknowledged that his own position could come under scrutiny, said that selections were now made only by selectors but he agreed he had some say in the matter.

However, when asked if he would suggest any changes to the team, he said it was decided by selectors.

Sutherland said it was a difficult media conference for the weary captain after a long international season.

"A couple of ACB representatives were there, I have spoken to them, it would appear it was a pretty difficult press conference at the end of a difficult match and a long summer," Sutherland said.

"He (Waugh) made an off-the-cuff remark to an ACB person on the way out.

"I understand the context of that, I have spoken to Steve Waugh and I won't be taking the matter any further."

It was the second time Waugh's personal asides at a media conference have caused him problems.

Last month Waugh apologised to South African fast bowler Steve Elworthy over a flippant remark about the paceman's brain - or lack of it.

That comment came as Waugh observed Proteas skipper Shaun Pollock telling a post-match news conference a scan on Elworthy, who was struck by a Glenn McGrath bouncer during the match, had found no damage.

Waugh was criticised in the South African media for reportedly saying to ACB media manager Brian Murgatroyd: "Yeah, and I bet they didn't find a brain either."

Waugh said he was disappointed in the way that incident was reported and that he had been misquoted.

"It was a private conversation and wasn't meant to be heard by anyone else, it wasn't meant to be offensive, it obviously has been seen that way but the words were not the words that I said," he said at the time.

© 2002 AAP