06:20 PM PST | Fri, 30 Jul, 2010 | Sha'aban 18, 1431
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Clarke in Test squad despite quitting NZ tour

Wednesday, 10 Mar, 2010
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Michael Clarke - File Photo

WELLINGTON: Michael Clarke has been included in Australia's test squad only two days after quitting a cricket tour of New Zealand for personal reasons and returning to his Sydney home.

 

Clarke, left the team hotel on Monday on the eve of its third one-day international against New Zealand at Hamilton to be with his partner.

 

At the time there was speculation over whether Clarke would be included in the team for the two test matches in New Zealand starting later this month.

 

Clarke's fiancee, Australian model Lara Bingle, recently announced she would sue former boyfriend and Australian Rules football player Brendan Fevola over nude photographs of her allegedly taken during their relationship that were later distributed without her permission.

 

Cricket Australia named Tasmania's George Bailey as Clarke's replacement for the remainder of the five-match, limited-overs series and delayed naming the test squad by a day.

 

Cricket Australia spokesman Michael Brown said he wasn't sure when Clarke would return to New Zealand.

 

''I've talked to him over the last few days and we have a test tour looming,'' he said. ''I would hope he's part of that group, 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.''

 

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said Clarke had the full support of the national team.

He further included, ''He knows from all of us within the team that he has got all the support that he needs, the last thing that I said to him last night before he left was for him to take as much time as he needed and hopefully we can do the right thing over here and win the series without him.”

 



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