Cunis, from Northland, son of former test pace bowler Bob Cunis, has returned home from Holland, where he has been playing for Quick Nijmegen, where Canterbury coach Garry MacDonald was in charge.

MacDonald talked to Cunis yesterday and the 20-year-old, who has had four seasons already with Northland, confirmed he will shift south for the season.

MacDonald said Cunis felt he was not getting ahead with Northern Districts and wanted to try and break into the Canterbury team.

``He is welcome to try down here but as with anybody there are no promises of a place in the team.'' MacDonald said that when Canterbury's New Zealand representatives were out, and with another all-rounder, Neil Maxwell, now returning to Australia, the province may be a little light in that area.

Cunis will move before the season starts and join the St Albans club.

The shift is one of several away from Northland by players who last season won and retained the Fuji-Xerox Cup including Black Caps Bryan Young, Dion Nash, plus Alex O'Dowd and Richard Morgan (all to Auckland).

Another player from the Northern Districts region, Gareth Hopkins, is also expected in Canterbury soon in search of the wicketkeeper-batsman's position left vacant by the retirement of Lee Germon.