Clarke Named in Australian Test Squad; Uncertainty Looms over His Relationship with Lara Bingle

Could it be curtains for the David Beckham and Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham? Australia speculates on Michael Clarke's private life even as his name is announced in the Australian squad for the Test series against New Zealand.

michael clarke nathan bracken

The Australian vice captain left New Zealand in such a rush that even his team mates were unaware of the developments. While Cricket Australia have named Clarke in the Test squad, they are themselves unsure of when Clarke would be able to return to New Zealand.

However the Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, had a word of assurance for Clarke, "He knows from all of us within the team that he has got all the support that he needs. I said to him last night before he left ... to take as much time as he needed."

While speculation has been indicating that Clarke's sudden decision has to do with the scandal that broke out following his Australian model fiancee, Lara Bingle, who cried foul over her former boyfriend, AFL star, Brendon Fevola, leaking his nude in the shower pic to all and sundry.

Ever since while Bingle has been fighting off allegations that she had paid to have the interview and photo posted, Clarke has struggled to disassociate himself from the controversy.

Even as the world at large assumed Clarke was leaving for Australia and his Bondi beach residence to be by Bingle's side, large sections of the Australian media are reporting that perhaps it is the end of the road of the Clarke-Bingle romance.

The rumours were fuelled after Bingle and Clarke were found in separate circles following his return and she was visible with the $200,000 engagement ring that has caused so much sensation including an exclusive magazine rights just to publish it.

Her high profile friendships, the media glare and the celebrity agent are apparently adding to the tensions between the couple with some former Australians cricketers even going to the extent of advising that Clarke call time off on his relationship and decide what he wants for himself.

Cricket Australia are increasingly battling problems with cricketers over their relationships. Brett Lee's divorce from Liz Kemp was responsible for him going off the boil in a career that has now seen him call time on his Test career, his wanting to spend time with son Preston being one of the reasons apart from his injuries. Mitchell Johnson struggled to concentrate during the Ashes as the spats between his mother, Vikki Harber, and girlfriend, Jessica Katich, became too much to bear.

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