Bingle unlikely to clean up Clarke's assets, say experts

Lara Bingle (2nd R, with Michael Clarke) knew AFL star Brendan Fevola (L, with wife Alex) was married when she began seeing him in 2006, it has been alleged. Photos / Getty Images

Cricket star Michael Clarke would come away from his shattered relationship with model Lara Bingle with the lion's share of the assets, according to an Australian report.

Their two-year engagement was treated as a marriage under de facto laws introduced in Australia last year, but Bingle would have to prove that she had made a significant contribution to the couple's lifestyle if she were to claim any of Clarke's assets.

Clarke, who could face media today to end speculation about his relationship with Bingle, is understood to be taking legal advice to protect the fortune he has amassed as one of Australia's most successful and celebrated sportsmen.

News.com.au reports that Clarke owns four properties including the A$6m Bondi apartment he has shared with his fiancee since last September. It is understood that Bingle's name is not present on any of the title deeds and that neither she nor her company, Chilli Dog Promotions, are listed as owning any property.

Legal experts told news.com.au Bingle would keep her 4.7 carat diamond engagement ring, said to be worth about A$200,000 and the A$250,000 Aston Martin automobile bought by Clarke as a gift.

It is believed Clarke has gone to ground at his Bondi apartment, emerging once yesterday afternoon but rushing back inside as paparazzi descended upon him. Bingle is said to be staying with a friend nearby.

The couple had been living together since 2007, the year after Bingle had an affair with Australian Rules player Brendan Fevola.

Former AFL star Dermott Brereton told Australian media that Bingle knew Fevola was married, but pursued him anyway.

"She came over to me and said 'I just met that guy Brendan Fevola, what's he like?'," Brereton said on an SEN radio show this morning.

He said he told Bingle that "he's a ratbag but he's a good bloke," and that when Bingle asked Brereton if Fevola had a girlfriend, he indicated that the woman standing with him was his wife, Alex Fevola.

It remains uncertain whether Clarke will return to the Australian touring side in time for the first test against the Black Caps next Friday.

His teammates in the ODI squad will play New Zealand in the final one-dayer in Wellington tomorrow.

- NZ HERALD ONLINE