Shock as Aussie vice-captain quits NZ tour

The Age

TOP PARTNERSHIP: Australian cricket vice-captain Michael Clarke and fiancée Lara Bingle at the recent Allan Border Medal evening in Melbourne.

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Michael Clarke has made a sudden exit from Australia's cricket tour of New Zealand for personal reasons.

Team officials are uncertain if or when he will return.

It is understood his hasty departure is related to issues involving his fiancee Lara Bingle.

The Australian vice-captain trained with the team at Seddon Park yesterday afternoon before today's third match of the Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand, which is locked 1-1. But he was seen leaving the team's hotel by New Zealand players gathered in the foyer.

Clarke's manager, Charmaine Dick, last night said she did not know the reason for Clarke's decision while Chris White, the managing director of International Quarterback, which manages Clarke's affairs, was unavailable for comment. He was understood to be flying to Auckland to meet Clarke before their departure to Australia.

Cricket Australia general manager of cricket Michael Brown said last night: ''Michael is attending to personal ... matters and we ask on his behalf that his privacy be respected.''

Some members of the Australian team last night were unaware Clarke had left. It is also understood the shock exit is not connected to any health concerns over his father, Les, who has cancer.

Clarke's departure comes a week after a photo of Bingle naked was published by Woman's Day and circulated in the media. Bingle has since been the subject of intense media interest over a past affair with AFL player Brendon Fevola and her career prospects.

Bingle has announced she's suing Fevola over the photo, she claims Fevola took without her permission, and was allegedly taken while she and Fevola were involved in a secret affair in 2006.

Bingle has opened up in a magazine interview about the release of the photo, saying she has been deeply humiliated.

Her celebrity agent Max Markson says reports that Bingle, 22, was paid $A200,000 ($NZ249,084) for the interview and photo shoot with Woman's Day were "false".

Bingle told the magazine the nude photo was taken without her permission and she felt exploited and compromised by its release.

The model says she is suing the footballer to restore her "dignity and self-respect" and to show it's "not cool or funny" to distribute nude photos of anyone.

Bingle describes Clarke as amazing and says he has supported her in the "ups and downs that have happened in my life".

Max Markson, told the Sydney Morning Herald: ''I am Lara's manager, not Michael's. I can't comment.''

Clarke missed the first Test of the 2008 series in the West Indies to comfort Bingle after the passing of her father, Graham. He returned to make a century in the second Test in Antigua, dedicating his innings of 110 to him and crying on the field when he reached the milestone.

Reporters followed Clarke in Napier last week as news of Bingle's troubles made its way across the Tasman. Despite reporters and cameramen being told to stay off the ground when Australia trained at McLean Park, one Kiwi television cameraman broke protocol to zoom in on Clarke from close range forcing the Australian vice-captain to complain to team officials.

He had previously been photographed engaging in a tense conversation with Bingle outside the Australian team dressing room at the SCG after Australia's final 50-overs match of the summer against the West Indies. The tourists are left with only 12 players in their one-day squad after declining to replace the injured Shaun Marsh.

Yesterday afternoon, everything seemed fine. Clarke tweeted about the Hamilton weather and asked Shane Warne about Rajasthan's chances in the IPL: ''you boys a chance of winning this year mate???''

Clarke's departure leaves the Australian one-day squad down to just 12 players, with paceman Clint McKay and all-rounder Adam Voges vying for a place in the side with Clarke gone.

A replacement player may be called up from Australia for the final two one-day games in Auckland on Thursday and Wellington on Saturday, a spokesman said.

It's not known if Clarke will return for the two-Test series starting on March 19.

The test squad is due to be named later this week.

Meanwhile, Australian coach Tim Nielsen has talked with Mitchell Johnson about handling the heat he will receive today from the volatile crowd in New Zealand. Seddon Park is expected to be sold out.

- © Fairfax NZ News