Clarke in doubt for first Test

Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke is in doubt for the first Test against the West Indies in Jamaica following the death of fiancee Lara Bingle's father.

Graham Bingle, who had been battling cancer, died on Saturday at a Sydney hospital.

Clarke is supporting model Lara and her family with a funeral expected to be held later this week.

The 27-year-old Clarke, promoted to the Test vice-captaincy following Adam Gilchrist's retirement, cited family reasons for not joining the Australian squad as they departed for the Caribbean on Saturday.

Australia open their tour with a three-day match against a Jamaica XI starting on Friday in Kingston before the first Test against the Windies begins on Thursday week (Friday Australian time).

NSW captain Simon Katich, who was named in the Test squad as a reserve batsman, is likely to move back into the side if Clarke isn't available for the first Test.

Victorian Brad Hodge, who has left the Indian Premier League to link up with the Australian squad in London en route to Jamaica, has been included in the touring party while Clarke is unavailable.

"Our thoughts are with Michael and Lara and the family at this difficult time," a Cricket Australia spokesman said on Monday.

"Michael's providing support to his fiancee's family ahead of the funeral and I'm sure that in due course and when the time is right for both of them he'll be liaising with Cricket Australia about his future availability."

Clarke turned his back on the riches of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament because he wanted to "go fishing with the old man".

His father Les has Hodgkin's disease.

Clarke also used the opportunity to take a brief holiday to New York, proposing to Bingle in Central Park.