England's Ben Stokes is on his way to New Zealand to play for Canterbury in the upcoming national domestic one-day competition, according to reports.
The prodigious all-rounder is currently suspended pending a police investigation into an alleged assault which saw him dropped from the national squad for The Ashes series against Australia.
Reports from The Times of UK claim the 26-year-old has been given clearance from the English Cricket Board (ECB) to play in the Ford Trophy and may feature as soon as Sunday, when Canterbury opens its campaign against Otago in Rangiora.
Pictures have also emerged of the New Zealand-born player making his way through London's Heathrow airport carrying his England cricket kit bag.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have confirmed they're aware of discussions between Stokes' management team and Canterbury Cricket. However, they have yet to receive a formal request.
NZC must sign off on any deals involving international players and domestic sides.
Canterbury Cricket CEO Jeremy Curwin confirmed they'd been in discussions with Stokes' representatives but added there were still a number of steps remaining in the process before any deal could be ratified.
"There's a lot of things to go through and talk about before anything can be signed off. What we don't want to do is pre-empt anything and end up with nothing," Curwin told Newshub.
"At the moment, we'll take the steps as they're presented to us."
The signing would be a coup for the domestic tournament. Regarded as one of the world's premier cricketers, Stokes' explosive style of play would be certain to attract bumper crowds across the country.
Earlier reports suggested he was on his way to visit his Christchurch-based family ahead of an 11th hour call-up to the England side, who are coming off a convincing loss to Australia in the opening Ashes Test.
ECB boss Andrew Strauss has stressed that he won't be able to play for England until he's been cleared by police for the incident which took place outside a Bristol nightclub in September.
"The ECB is aware that Ben Stokes is making a private trip to New Zealand to spend time with his family. His travel arrangements have not been arranged by the ECB," confirmed in a statement.
"He is not on his way to the Ashes, England Lions or any other official training camps with the England set-up."
The second Ashes Test begins in Adelaide on Saturday.
Newshub.