Ben Stokes, the former England cricket captain, has agreed to join Adelaide Strikers for the 2026-27 season of the T20 Big Bash League. The move comes after Stokes, aged 35, announced his retirement from international cricket in June, a decision made public during England's home Test series against New Zealand.
Stokes brings a wealth of experience to the Strikers, having played 122 Tests, 114 one-day internationals, and 43 T20 internationals for England. He is widely remembered for his match-winning 84 in the 2019 World Cup final, which helped England secure their first-ever title in the tournament.
Stokes to Play Full BBL 16 Season
Adelaide Strikers confirmed that Stokes will be available for the entire BBL 16 campaign, which begins in December. Stokes previously played a short stint with Melbourne Renegades in 2015 but will now feature as a key player for the Strikers throughout the season.
"I'm really excited to be joining the Adelaide Strikers for BBL 16," said Stokes. "I've always enjoyed playing in Australia, and when the opportunity came up to join the Strikers it was one I couldn't pass up. Adelaide Oval is an incredible place to play cricket, the Big Bash is a fantastic competition and the Strikers have an exciting group, so I'm looking forward to meeting the players, getting stuck in and contributing to a successful season. I can't wait to get started, create some special memories with the group and give Strikers fans plenty to cheer about."
Adelaide Strikers Welcome Stokes
Tim Paine, head coach of Adelaide Strikers, welcomed the signing, stating, "Ben is one of the greatest all-rounders the game has seen, a proven match-winner and a competitor who thrives under pressure. We're thrilled to have a player of his ability join our squad and can't wait to see him put on a show in BBL 16."
The Strikers will open their BBL 16 campaign against Sydney Thunder on 16 December, with Stokes expected to play a central role in their season.
