Bingle, Clarke call off engagement

Lara Bingle and Michael Clarke have called off their engagement, it has been reported.

The Australian cricketer, who has been engaged to 22-year-old model Bingle for two years, is believed to have dumped her over the telephone following her recent nude photograph scandal.

Bingle recently sold a tell-all interview to a woman's magazine, accusing ex-lover Brendan Fevola of leaking a naked picture of her to the press and giving details of their 2006 fling.

The Daily Telegraph quotes the couple's official statement as reading: "Michael Clarke and Lara Bingle have decided to end their engagement. They ask the media to respect their privacy during this difficult time. No further comment will be made."

Clarke, who dropped out of Australia's tour last week to fly back to Sydney, is now expected to rejoin his teammates in New Zealand.