Ben Stokes is to return to the UK "for family reasons" following a month-long spell with New Zealand side Canterbury, the club has said.

In a statement, Stokes said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" training and playing with the side, and that everyone had "gone out of their way to make me feel at home".

Canterbury's chief executive Jez Curwin said: "Ben has been great around the club, the team and the staff.

"We can't fault his attitude or his all-round contribution in his time with us and we are sorry that he couldn't stay with us for longer but Ben knows that he will always find a welcome here should the opportunity arise for him to return."

Stokes signed as an overseas player at the end of November and made his debut for Canterbury against Otago in New Zealand's 50-over Ford Trophy.

Stokes played in six matches for Canterbury - in both the 50 over Ford Trophy and T20 Super Smash competitions.

Ashes third Test in pictures Show all 42 1 /42 Ashes third Test in pictures Ashes third Test in pictures alastair-cook2.jpg Alastair Cook departs after being trapped LBW for seven. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures mark-stoneman.jpg Mark Stoneman is hit by the ball on his way to making 56. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures james-vince.jpg James Vince is caught behind by Tim Paine off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures joe-root2.jpg Joe Root walks off after making 20, having been caught by Tim Paine off the bowling of Pat Cummins. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures dawid-malan.jpg Dawid Malan sweeps the ball away for four on the first day of the third Test. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures jonny-bairstow.jpg Jonny Bairstow runs between the wickets with Dawid Malan on the first day of the third Ashes test. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures dawid-malan1.jpg Dawid Malan celebrates reaching his century on the first day of the third Ashes Test. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures dawid-malan2.jpg Dawid Malan walks off the Waca field after making 140. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures steve-smith-0.jpg Steve Smith celebrates with his Australian teammates following the dismissal of Dawid Malan. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures jonny-bairstow1.jpg Jonny Bairstow celebrates reaching his century on day two of the third Test. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures jonny-bairstow2.jpg Jonny Bairstow points to the sky in memory of his late father after reaching his century. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures jonny-bairstow3.jpg Jonny Bairstow headbutts his England helmet after passing 100. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures chris-woakes.jpg Chris Woakes is dismissed by Josh Hazlewood as England's lower order is bowled out cheaply. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures craig-overton.jpg Craig Overton walks off dejectedly after being caught out for just 2. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures stuart-broad.jpg Stuart Broad edged an attempted pull shot to Cameron Bancroft at short-leg. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures david-warner.jpg David Warner walks off the field after making 22. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures cameron-bancroft.jpg Cameron Bancroft dives for the crease in an attempted run-out. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures craig-overton1.jpg Craig Overton celebrates dismissing Cameron Bancroft soon after the wicket of David Warner. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures usman-khawaja.jpg Usman Khawaja is dismissed by Chris Woakes late on day two. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures steve-smith1.jpg Steve Smith steadied the ship for Australia as he approached his century. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures moeen-ali.jpg Moeen Ali celebrates taking the only wicket of the day after dismissing Shaun Marsh Getty Ashes third Test in pictures steve-smith100.jpg Steve Smith celebrates reaching his second century of the Ashes series Getty Ashes third Test in pictures mitchell-marsh1.jpg Mitchell Marsh raises his arms in the air after reaching his maiden century Getty Ashes third Test in pictures mitchell-marsh.jpg Mitchell Marsh kisses his helmet after reaching his century on his Australia recall Getty Ashes third Test in pictures steve-smith4.jpg Steve Smith ducks out of the way of a bouncer on his way to 229 not-out on day three Getty Ashes third Test in pictures stuart-broad1.jpg Stuart Broad reacts with dejection on a frustrating day for England Getty Ashes third Test in pictures steve-smith2.jpg Steve Smith celebrates reaching his double-century to put Australia in control on day three of the third Test Getty Ashes third Test in pictures steve-smith3.jpg Steve Smith points to his family after passing 200 in the first innings Getty Ashes third Test in pictures scoreboard.jpg The scoreboard made bleak reading for England Getty Ashes third Test in pictures gettyimages-893732190.jpg Getty Ashes third Test in pictures gettyimages-893973426.jpg Getty Ashes third Test in pictures gettyimages-893990244.jpg Getty Ashes third Test in pictures trevor-bayliss-joe-root.jpg Trevor Bayliss and Joe Root inspect the pitch at the start of day five. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures jonny-bairstow4.jpg Jonny Bairstow is caught out by a ball that keeps low from Josh Hazlewood. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures nathan-lyon.jpg Nath Lyon is surrounded by his Australia teammates after dismissing Moeen Ali. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures dawid-malan4.jpg Dawid Malan celebrates reaching his half-century. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures dawid-malan3.jpg Dawid Malan top scored again for England with 54 before getting himself out. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures craig-overton3.jpg Craig Overton came out to bat despite suffering a fractured rib. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures josh-hazlewood.jpg Josh Hazlewood celebrates the dismissal of Craig Overton. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures mitchell-starc.jpg Pat Cummins celebrates dismissing Stuart Broad for a duck Getty Ashes third Test in pictures james-anderson.jpg James Anderson is struck on the head during the second innings. Getty Ashes third Test in pictures pat-cummins.jpg Pat Cummins celebrates taking the wicket of Chris Woakes to secure Australia's Ashes series victory. Getty

After opening his account with a disappointing 2 against Otago on December 3 and going 49 without a wicket with the ball, he hit 34 against Auckland three days later.

His top score during his spell in New Zealand was 93 in the T20 game against Otago in Christchurch, which followed the 26-year-old being run out for a duck against Northern Districts.

Stokes was dropped from England's Ashes Test tour after he was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm in Bristol on September 25.