Media pack greets embattled Clarke in Wellington

Michael Clarke arriving at Wellington Airport earlier today. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Michael Clarke arrived in Wellington airport today leaving behind the Lara Bingle circus which rages on in Sydney.

A $200,000 engagement is rumoured to be lost in ex-fiancee and model Bingle's plumbing, her family may be trying to sell her story to tabloids, and an Aston Martin V8 - a gift from Clarke - has been put up for sale at a car yard for $219,000.

Last week, Clarke, Australia's cricket vice-captain, left his team in the middle of the series in New Zealand to comfort Bingle, distressed that a nude photo was leaked and being published in a woman's magazine.

A week later, Clarke has returned – his engagement called off , and a frenzied media pack following his every move: a television crew even followed him onto today's flight to Wellington

The latest twists have taken the Bingle plot down the toilet - where Bingle reportedly flushed her engagement ring.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that plumbers arrived at Bingle's apartment this morning to scour the sewers for the $200,000 diamond ring.

But Bingle's agent insisted the ring was never lost.

Teammates are also chipping in, with Mike Hussey saying any on-field taunts at this week's test between New Zealand and Australia would be "below the belt", the Age reported.

The Sunday Telegraph, meanwhile, said Bingle's family friend was trying to sell interviews with her mother and brother to tabloids.

This follows Bingle's own reported $200,000 tell-all just last week, with the magazine that printed her nude photo.

The 28-year-old Clarke announced on Friday that his engagement with Bingle was off.

He's expected to take his place in the team for Friday's first test against the Black Caps, with Ricky Ponting's side resuming training at the Basin Reserve on Tuesday.

"I think it is a personal issue and it's probably going a little bit too far if they do mention anything about that," Hussey said.

"I don't know, we'll have to wait and see really.

"He's such a mentally tough person. He'll be fine.

"It's important we don't get caught up in that by-play."

Hussey says his teammates have spent little time discussing Clarke's personal dramas.

"We want him back as quickly as possible because he is an integral part of our team and a very fine player," Hussey said.

"We want him back and a hundred per cent focused on playing well for Australia.

"Hopefully he can get through his issues as quickly as possible and we can have him back.

"But as a group we haven't really spoken about it much at all. We've just tried to focus on the job of playing for Australia and we'll let him deal with all his issues off the field."

Australia lost to New Zealand by 51 runs in Saturday night's fifth ODI clash but the tourists retained the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy with a three-two series win.

- NZ Herald staff with AAP