Ben Stokes signs with Adelaide Strikers for BBL|16 in reported AUD 500,000 deal
Ben Stokes has signed with the Adelaide Strikers to play in BBL|16, the Big Bash League's 2026-27 season, in a move announced on September 1, 2026. The England all-rounder has committed to the Strikers for the entire BBL campaign and the deal has been described as a high-value signing.
Stokes becomes the first overseas player to be signed since the competition introduced a revamped contracting system. The new model returned the league to direct negotiations between franchises and international players, which gave teams greater flexibility over how they spent their budgets. That change was cited as a factor that enabled the Strikers to pursue Stokes under the revised approach.
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."
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 club will integrate Stokes into a group Paine is responsible for preparing for the upcoming season.
The move will see Stokes return to Australia for the first time since the 2025-26 Ashes, a series in which England suffered a 4-1 defeat. Stokes later called 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 Big Bash, having played four matches for the Melbourne Renegades during the 2014-15 season, and Adelaide will represent his second BBL franchise. He is scheduled to make his Adelaide Oval debut on December 23, when the Strikers host the Thunder.
The signing 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 expected to play for MI Cape Town in the 2025 SA20 but missed that tournament after sustaining 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 coming for Chennai Super Kings in 2023.
Stokes' return to competitive cricket for the Strikers will begin on December 16, when Adelaide face Sydney Thunder in Canberra, a match that will see him go up against David Warner. His Adelaide Oval debut follows on December 23, when the Strikers host the Thunder.
