'Confused and lost' Clarke considering Bingle break-up - report

Black Caps fans at Seddon Park hold up a banner referring to Michael Clarke's decision to quit the tour and return to Australia. Photo / Christine Cornege

Reports from Australia are suggesting Australian cricketer Michael Clarke is about to dump fiancée Lara Bingle over the nude photo scandal that forced him to quit the tour of New Zealand.

Australian website news.com.au said Clarke was "confused and lost" over the scandal and was poised to dump the 22-year-old model, who hit the headlines last week after a naked photo of her was leaked to a women's magazine.

Clarke, who is back in Sydney on compassionate leave to be with Bingle, has been named in a 14-man squad for the upcoming two-test series against the New Zealanders. He spent most of yesterday holed up with his fiancée at the couple's A$6 million apartment at Bondi Beach.

Cricket Australia's general manager of cricket Michael Brown conceded he still doesn't know when Clarke will return to New Zealand.

"I've talked to him over the last few days and we have a Test tour looming," he said.

"I would hope he's part of that group ... but unless he's ready to go, there's no point going."

News.com.au reported today that Clarke was increasingly distressed and angry with the "off-field" media attention, which has intensified since Bingle joined up with celebrity agent Max Markson.

News.com.au also cited unnamed sources saying Bingle was resigned to the likelihood Clarke may ask her to move out.

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

Clarke, who already leads the Australian Twenty20 side, has high aspirations and is widely tipped to succeed current test captain Ricky Ponting when he retires.

However, his decision to return to Australia was immediately condemned by Australian cricket followers yesterday, who flooded websites calling for him to dump Bingle or forget about the test captaincy.

"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?"

- NZ HERALD STAFF, NZPA