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
Australian cricket vice-captain Michael Clarke has called off his wedding and ended his relationship with Lara Bingle, the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting today.
A friend of Bingle's, believed to be a DJ, was about to sell a tell-all story and this may have been the final straw for Clarke.
It was linked to the whereabouts of Bingle at the time of the theft of her car on December 29, said the SMH.
The engagement ring was off Bingle's finger yesterday, but nobody – either Bingle herself or her agent – was saying anything publicly.
The SMH said Bingle's agent Max Markson demanded A$1 million for the 22-year-old to appear on A Current Affair last night.
Reporter Ben Fordham told the paper he spoke to Markson yesterday.
He said he told Markson there would be no money on offer but Bingle would be able to tell her side of the story - to an unmanned camera if that would have made her feel comfortable.
Fordham said Markson's response was "Yeah, yeah, mate, $1 million ... $1 million, two-year deal."
Speaking to 2UE radio, Fordham said he received information from a friend of Bingle's who claimed the breakup was instigated by Clarke.
It's also uncertain whether Clarke will return to the Australian touring side in time for the first test against the Black Caps next Friday.
He's been named in the test squad, but this is still 'provisional'.
Cricket Australia general manager of cricket Michael Brown told AAP yesterday that while Clarke had been named in the squad, he did not know when he would rejoin his teammates in New Zealand.
"We'll talk again over the next couple of days and our intention hopefully is to get him back in the side for the Test match," he said.
- NZHERALD STAFF
