Clarke's trip home delays Test squad announcement

Michael Clarke's dash home to support his fiancee Lara Bingle has forced a delay in the naming of Australia's Test squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand. The touring party was set to be announced on Tuesday but following Clarke's decision to fly home from the one-dayers it is unclear how long he intends to be away from the game.

The vice-captain is still expected to be named in the squad that will play two Tests in Wellington and Hamilton later this month. His manager Chris White confirmed on Tuesday that the "personal matters" referred to by Cricket Australia when he flew home were related to Bingle, who is embroiled in a controversy over a topless photo of her published in a magazine.

"Michael has come home to support Lara through this difficult time," White told AAP. Bingle has been under intense media scrutiny after the photo, which was allegedly taken in 2006 by the AFL footballer Brendan Fevola, found its way into print and she subsequently launched legal action against Fevola.

Clarke left the tour so quickly on Monday that some of his team-mates were not even aware he had departed until the following morning. After Australia won Tuesday's game in Hamilton, the captain Ricky Ponting said he did not know how long he would be without his second-in-command.

"We don't know yet," Ponting said. "I haven't heard from him today and I don't really expect to. We'll give him as much time as he needs and all that we can do is give him as much support as possible. The last thing that I said to him last night before he left was for him just to take as much time as he needed."

The Tasmania captain George Bailey has been added to the one-day squad as Clarke's replacement. He said he was keen to take his chance if a debut came in one of the final two matches over the next few days.

"I obviously read that Michael was coming home in the paper, which is unfortunate for him," Bailey said. "But so many Australian players have grabbed that opportunity when that's been handed to them, that's how a lot of people have made their starts. So I'm very excited for myself and Michael will obviously work through his issues."