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Clarke exits Kiwi tour

Image: Clarke: Heading home

Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke has returned home from the tour of New Zealand for personal reasons.

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Australia vice-captain makes abrupt exit during ODI series

Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke has returned home from the tour of New Zealand for personal reasons, Cricket Australia have confirmed. The 28-year-old right-hander leaves the side on the eve of Tuesday's third one-day international against the Black Caps in Hamilton. It is believed Clarke's departure relates to an issue with his fiancee Lara Bingle, who has announced she is to sue former boyfriend Brendan Fevola over a photo published without her permission. "Michael is attending to personal, non-cricket matters and we ask on his behalf that his privacy be respected," Cricket Australia general manager of cricket Michael Brown said. Clarke's exit leaves the Australia one-day squad limited to just 12 available players, with paceman Clint McKay and all-rounder Adam Voges vying for a place in the side. Australia's selectors will meet on Tuesday to decide whether a replacement will be called up. They will also announce the squad for the three-Test series which follows the one-dayers. It is not known if Clarke will return for the Tests, which start on March 19.

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