It's been a long time coming but, at last, it's official. Australian Test cricketer Michael Clarke and model Lara Bingle have sealed their union with a whopping five carats.
"Lara and Michael have rung in to family and friends over the Easter weekend extending the great news," said the couple's representative, Chris White, of International Quarterback.
According to SiT's spies in the Big Apple, the cricketer surprised the blonde swimsuit model on Friday night, proposing, not in their hometown Sutherland Shire, but in New York's Central Park.
Bingle, 20, the most famous G of Australia's cricketing WAGs (wives and girlfriends) is rumoured to be the recipient of a pear-shaped diamond ring with an estimated value of $100,000. So valuable that Clark, who turns 27 next week, reportedly had problems insuring it for the trip to the United States.
Bingle first shot to fame in 2006 as the bikini model who offended British television viewers when she asked "where the bloody hell are you?" in the controversial $180 million Tourism Australia ad campaign. She had a rumoured liaison with then-married Carlton AFL player Brendan Fevola before confirming early last year she was going steady with Clarke.
She has since been named as the face of Speedo swimwear while Clarke, or Pup, as he is known in cricketing circles, is tipped to succeed Ricky Ponting as Australian team captain. The couple are still in New York, no doubt enjoying a break before their engagement becomes game-on for the Australian paparazzi.
