Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke has delayed his departure for the West Indian tour because of the deteriorating health of fiancee Lara Bingle's father.
Graham Bingle is understood to be losing his battle with cancer and Clarke has been handed compassionate leave by Cricket Australia (CA).
The Australian cricket team fly out for the two-month tour of the Caribbean tomorrow minus Clarke, who left camp in Brisbane early to be with model Bingle and her family.
"I will not be travelling to the West Indies with the team due to family reasons. I am looking forward to getting over there as soon as possible," he said.
"Both Lara and I would appreciate courtesy and privacy during this time. Thanks in advance for your understanding and support."
It is not the first time the Test captain-in-waiting has put family ahead of his career.
The 27-year-old opted to forgo the big dollars on offer in the Indian Premier League to spend more time with his father Les, who has also been fighting cancer.
A CA statement said that it was "currently unclear" when Clarke would rejoin the squad in the Windies.
Clarke was elevated to the vice-captaincy after Adam Gilchrist's retirement from international cricket at the end of the last Australian summer.
This latest decision has shown that despite Clarke's new post, his family still comes first.
The culture of the Australian cricket team, which spends large chunks of the year on the road, has changed considerably over the past few decades.
Attitudes, particularly towards spouses, have softened and CA pay for a partner to travel with them on one major tour every calendar year.
Michael Hussey will assume the role as Ricky Ponting's deputy while Brad Hodge has been named as the shadow player for Clarke.
"Brad has had another strong domestic season with the Victorian Bushrangers in all forms of the game," said chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch.
"He is still very highly regarded by the national selection panel and this provides him with another opportunity to be involved with the Australian squad."
The level of disruption for the Australian cricket team will depend on the length of Clarke's absence.
Simon Katich, coming off a record-breaking summer at domestic level, would be the most likely beneficiary if Clarke is unavailable for a considerable amount of time.
Australia play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match in their tour of the West Indies.
They open with a three-day tour match against a Jamaica XI starting on Friday in Kingston before the first Test against the Windies starts on May 22.
