Waugh hopes Clarke leaving New Zealand tour for personal reasons is a 'one off'

Melbourne, Mar 9 : Australian legend and cricket commentator Mark Waugh has said that he hopes Michael Clarke's dash home from New Zealand is a one-off, as the cricketer's personal life 'encroached on his cricket'.

Clarke abandoned his New Zealand tour in middle and rushed back to home as his fiancee Lara Bingle broke her silence over the nude photo scandal involving Brisbane Lions AFL star Brendan Fevola.

It's for the first time Clarke's private life has taken precedence over his career as a professional sportsman, Fox Sports quoted Waugh, as saying.

"He's had to leave the tour, so (his personal life) has encroached on his cricket. That's not the way you want to be playing your cricket and living your life," Waugh said.

"It's difficult being a high-profile sportsman having a high-profile partner. You're in the spotlight all the time, for good and bad reasons. It's difficult to handle, especially when the press is negative.

"It's not easy for anybody, and negative publicity has got to affect you at some stage. When it's your wife or partner involved, it's difficult to handle. Hopefully there's not too many more dramas in the future," he said.

"Leaving tours for personal reasons isn't ideal, but it's the first time and hopefully it's a one-off," Waugh added.

The status of Clarke and Bingle as Australia's glamour couple, the country''s version of David and Victoria Beckham, means the tabloid press and celebrity magazines monitor their every move.

"I'm sure Michael would like to lead a much quieter life, but it's not possible with the arrangement he's got. There's always going to be that balance between playing and off-field dramas," Waugh said.