New Zealander Leo Carter has put his first-class career on hold to switch to Twickenham for the forthcoming Middlesex County League Premier Division campaign.

The 20-year-old has been ruled out of Canterbury’s final round Plunket Shield match Down Under because playing another first-class game would rule him ineligible to play for the Ts.

Canterbury coach Gary Stead said they wanted Carter to open the innings, but felt it was not worth jeopardising his English commitments for the sake of the match.

Former New Zealand U19 skipper Carter, who has experience with Northamptonshire second eleven under his belt, has scored 215 runs in six first-class innings for Canterbury this year at an average of 35.

Twickenham, runners-up to neighbours Teddington last summer, open their league campaign at home on the Green to Southgate on May 9.