Ben Stokes joins Adelaide Strikers for Big Bash League 16 in big-money move

Ben Stokes has signed for Adelaide Strikers and will play the full 2026-27 Big Bash League season. This will be the second time Stokes will be playing in the BBL.Stokes is heading back to Australia for his second stint in the BBL (Image: Reuters)Ben Stokes is set to make a high-profile return to the Big Bash League, with the former England Test captain joining Adelaide Strikers for the 2026-27 season in a deal that could make him the most expensive player in the tournament’s history.Stokes has committed to the Strikers for the entire BBL campaign, becoming the first overseas signing since the competition introduced its revamped contracting system. The new model has moved the league back to direct negotiations between franchises and international players, giving teams greater flexibility over how they spend their budgets.That freedom has helped pave the way for Stokes' lucrative move. According to 7News, the England all-rounder’s contract is worth around Australian Dollars 500,000 (approximately US Dollars 360,000), surpassing the previous top-end Platinum salary of Australian Dollars 420,000 available under the draft system."I'm really excited to be joining the Adelaide Strikers for BBL|16," Stokes said. "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."Several BBL franchises were reportedly keen on signing Stokes, but Adelaide ultimately won the race for his services. The Strikers are coached by former Australia Test captain Tim Paine.The move will see Stokes return to Australia for the first time since the 2025-26 Ashes, a series that marked the beginning of the end of his international career. England suffered a 4-1 defeat in the series, with Stokes later calling time on his Test career after the New Zealand series in June. He had also served a one-Test suspension following an incident outside a nightclub after the Lord's Test.Stokes is no stranger to the BBL, although his previous spell came more than a decade ago. He featured in four matches for the Melbourne Renegades during the 2014-15 season, meaning the Strikers will represent his second BBL franchise.His return to the competition will begin on December 16, when Adelaide face Sydney Thunder in Canberra. That match will also see Stokes go up against David Warner. He will then make his Adelaide Oval debut on December 23, when the Strikers host the Thunder.The move also marks Stokes' return to T20 cricket after a lengthy absence. His most recent appearance in the format came during the 2024 Hundred, where he suffered a hamstring injury. He was subsequently expected to play for MI Cape Town in the 2025 SA20 but missed the tournament after suffering another hamstring problem during England's series against New Zealand.Stokes has also featured for three IPL franchises during his career, with his most recent appearance in the competition coming for Chennai Super Kings in 2023.- EndsPublished On: Sep 1, 2026 16:07 IST