Tasmania captain George Bailey was today called up to the Australia one-day squad currently touring NZ.

Cricket Australia confirmed yesterday that Clarke had left the squad and returned home 'for personal reasons', and has been at pains to keep those reasons confidential.

But with only 12 players remaining in New Zealand, selectors elected to call on the services of Bailey, who has impressed in the Ford Ranger Cup this season.

"Due to Michael Clarke returning to Australia for personal reasons, the NSP (National Selection Panel) has today added George Bailey to the one-day squad," said NSP chairman Andrew Hilditch.

"George is having an outstanding season in all forms of the game and richly deserves this opportunity to join the Australian squad.

"George is a talented and exciting batsman and we are confident if the opportunity arises he will perform well at international level for Australia."

Clarke's return to Australia is reportedly related to an issue with his fiancee Lara Bingle, who has announced she is to sue former boyfriend Brendan Fevola.

Fevola, who plays for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League (Aussie Rules), allegedly took a photo of Bingle in the shower without her permission during their relationship which has now emerged in the media.

Bailey sympathises with the Australia vice-captain but is determined to take his chance.

"There are so many Australian players who have grabbed that opportunity when that's been handed to them and that's how a lot of people have made their start," Bailey said.

The Tigers skipper received his call-up on the back of a stellar Ford Ranger Cup season which saw him belt 538 runs, including one century and five fifties, at an average of 59.78.

Only Victoria veteran Brad Hodge (622) scored more runs than Bailey this campaign.

Bailey credited a shift in the batting order as one of the catalysts for his dominant 2009/10.

"It's the first time I've batted at four so it's probably a bit of (an) opportunity I suppose, a bit longer to settle into my innings.

"And I suppose just getting to that age where you've played a few games and you're just more comfortable with your game and how you go about building an innings, so it was a nice year."

Bailey insisted he wouldn't be fazed by the sudden change in his schedule, saying he is well-accustomed to the hectic lifestyle of the modern-day cricketer.

But he did admit not knowing if his stay in New Zealand would extend past the Chappell-Hadlee series.

"That's sort of how cricket is these days, it's a pretty hectic schedule, even for the domestic scheduling in that sort of competition," Bailey said.

"I'm ready to play, we've hit so many balls over the summer I feel like I'm in pretty good form at the moment so it's just a matter of ticking over."

Incumbent Test number six Marcus North looks to be at most risk of losing his spot for the two-Test series against New Zealand which begins on March 19, but Bailey doesn't expect to replace the under-siege Western Australia skipper.

Since hitting his last century in the fourth Ashes Test against England in July, North has averaged only 20.45 from his past 11 Test innings and has hit just 286 runs at 28.60 with the Warriors in the Sheffield Shield this season.

"I think Northy's a pretty good player and his record in the big series has been pretty impressive," Bailey said.

"He probably had a quiet summer, but in terms of the Test matches and the opportunity he got there, it was quite limited.

"But he's a great player and he fits into that group pretty well so I'd imagine he'd probably stay there."

Bailey wasn't sure if his commitments to his IPL team Chennai Super Kings would be affected by his Australian call-up.

The final ODI against New Zealand takes place on Saturday and Chennai's first match starts less than 24 hours later against the Deccan Chargers.