Cricket: Clarke heading back to NZ

Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke arrives at Sydney Airport bound for Wellington to rejoin his teammates after breaking up with fiancé Lara Bingle. Photo / Getty Images

Michael Clarke is due to arrive back in New Zealand to rejoin the Australian cricket squad today, with teammate Mike Hussey saying he hopes the Black Caps respect the vice-captain's privacy.

Clarke walked out on a five-match one-day international series after two games to rush home to Sydney to sort out his relationship with model Lara Bingle.

The 28-year-old 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 in Wellington, 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.

- AAP