Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke is likely to rush back to New Zealand for Test match duty next week following controversy over his shock decision to return to Sydney to comfort distressed fiancee Lara Bingle.

Australia delayed the naming of its Test squad until today following the vice-captain's shock move to dart back across the Tasman early yesterday to console Bingle-following fall-out of the publication of nude pictures taken by AFL star Brendan Fevola.

Despite abandoning the remainder of the one-day series against the Black Caps, it's understood Clarke will waste no time rejoining the Test squad.

The selectors were yesterday scheduled to announce the squad but the announcement was put back until today to allow chairman Andrew Hilditch to talk to Clarke.

Clarke is likely to make the tour but his state of mind remains a concern to the selectors given his responsibilities as vice-captain and a senior batsman.

Cricket Australia will give him further time off if he feels his private life needs more attention. (ANI)