Bouncers fly as Michael Clarke leaves tour

It's the most ferocious sledging barrage Michael Clarke has ever copped - his decision to split the tour of New Zealand has infuriated Australian cricket followers who demand he dump fiancee Lara Bingle or forget about inheriting the test captaincy.

Clarke's sudden decision rush to Bingle's side here in Bondi on the eve of the third Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day international in Hamilton hardly impeded Australia's stroll to a six-wicket win and 2-1 series lead last night.

But his absence has been condemned once it was confirmed he left his teammates to comfort Bingle, who is in the spotlight after a naked photo of her was leaked to a women's magazine.

The photograph, snapped four years ago when she was having an affair with married Aussie Rules footballer Brendon Fevola, prompted Bingle to start legal proceedings against her ex-lover and negotiate a lucrative right of reply in the same women's magazine.

Already the Australian Twenty20 side skipper, Clarke has been pre-ordained as Ricky Ponting successor as test captain - an honour regarded as the second most important job in the land after the Prime Minister.

There has been little, if any, sympathy for the swimsuit model once the photo - which had already been widely circulated among sportsmen - was publicised shortly before she secured a celebrity agent.

Clarke was preparing for the second ODI in Napier when the story broke and he seemed set to play game three until summoned home to Sydney.

It was not known last night when - or if -- he would return to the tour, another reason for cricket fans to vent.

"Clarke should be sacked for putting his high maintenance fiancee above his duties to international cricket,"' Rob of Sydney wrote on The Daily Telegraph website.

Other comments included: "It's fair enough to be given compassionate leave for your births and deaths but a topless photo of your girlfriend is not a matter of life and death.

"This is sacrilege! I hope the only reason he is taking time off is to dump her. If not, he should never play for Australia again.

"Clarke should not captain Australia if he is going to walk out every time Lara pulls a publicity stunt.

"Until you let her go you will not be a respected Australian cricketer."

David Ford of Liverpool likened Clarke's desertion as a slight on Australia's war dead.

"Nice to see he puts his pin up model before his country. Not. What about all our diggers over the years?"'

On a lighter note Greg reasoned: "I don't think you should ever captain this country, because Lara will probably tell you where to place your fielders."'

Some queried why Bingle did not fly to New Zealand instead because "it's not like she was busy at work and couldn't get the time off."'

Scott had the following career advice for Clarke: "`Wake up. If this is what is happening before you marry how will things be with Lara Bungle (sic) later on if you married? Move on. Play cricket."'

K Parker of Sydney was in the minority but made the point: "Michael obviously loves this lady and should be congratulated for standing by her the way he does.

"Will you not be happy until you have hounded this woman to suicide due to your constant bullying. She always has a smile, always seems to be a lady in public, so what is your problem?"

- NZPA