Australia's cricket Vice-captain Michael Clarke has quit the tour of New Zealand and is coming back home to Sydney for personal reasons.

There is some speculation he's leaving because his father is ill, but this is completely unconfirmed at this stage and it is not known when he will return. His early departure leaves the team with just 12 players. Both paceman Clint McKay and all-rounder Adam Voges are hoping for a place now.

A spokesman said a replacement player may be called up from Australia for the final two one-day games on Thursday and Saturday.

As for the two-Test series starting on March 19, it is not known if he will be back by then and the squad is due to be named later this week.

Clarke's time in New Zealand this time hasn't been great, although he did captain the Australian Twenty20 side to a six-wicket win in Wellington, the team lost in Christchurch two days later.

Clarke is regarded as a possible successor to skipper Ricky Ponting.