Clarke delays West Indies departure
09/05/2008 5:04 PM
Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke's tour of the West Indies is in serious doubt after the star batsman asked to delay his departure due to personal reasons.
Clarke will not leave for the three-Test tour in the Caribbean alongside his team-mates on Saturday, after withdrawing from a pre-tour training camp in Brisbane to return to Sydney.
It is believed the 27-year-old pulled out because of the failing health of his fiancee Lara Bingle's father Graham who has been battling liver cancer.
Michael Hussey will assume the vice-captaincy in Clarke's absence.
"Despite the circumstances it is a huge honour to be given the role of vice-captain, even if it may only be for a short period of time," Hussey said.
Brad Hodge will come into the squad to replace Clarke, and National Selection Panel chairman Andrew Hilditch believes the Victorian batsman thoroughly deserved the call-up.
"Brad has had another strong domestic season with the Victorian Bushrangers in all forms of the game," Hilditch said.
"He is still very highly regarded by the National Selection Panel and this provides him with another opportunity to be involved with the Australian squad."
The remainder of the 15-man squad will fly out on Saturday, with the tour starting on May 16.