Clarke, who had just led the co-hosts to a crushing 95-run win against the defending champions, was facing the media at the post-match press conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground, when he was asked to comment on "the tremendous sex" he had enjoyed since taking over as captain.
The embarrassed reporter quickly corrected himself, telling Clarke he had meant to say "the tremendous success".
"How well do you know me?" Clarke asked the journalist as man-of-the-match Steve Smith, who was sitting next to him, laughed.
Australia will face trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in Sunday's final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.