Vice captain Michael Clarke has quit the Australian cricket team ahead of today’s third one day international against New Zealand. There has been no announcement as to when he is due to return, but his departure coincides with the announcement that girlfriend Lara Bingle will be suing Brendan Fevola over a nude photograph she claims he took of her without her consent. The AFL player allegedly took the snap of Bingle in the shower without her permission whilst they were conducting a secret relationship in 2006.

The nude photograph was published in the magazine Woman’s Day last week and Bingle has since said that she felt humiliated by the situation. Bingle has reportedly been paid $200,000 to talk to the magazine about the incident, a figure which her agent Max Markson claims has been fabricated. The 22-year-old told Woman’s Day that she felt compromised and exploited by the photograph and that she would be seeking a settlement with Fevola as a way of restoring some of her dignity.

In the wake of the allegations that she was paid a large amount for an interview by Woman’s Day, Markson has confirmed that a donation is to be made for an undisclosed amount to a well known domestic violence charity.

Bingle also said that she appreciated all the support that Clarke was giving her over the matter. Clarke’s father is said to be having some health problems and this may be another reason why the cricketer feels it is necessary to spend some time away from the game and with his family.