Ben Stokes joins Adelaide Strikers for Big Bash League season 16

Former England all-rounder and Test captain Ben Stokes has been signed by Adelaide Strikers for the 16^th season of Australia’s premier domestic T20 tournament, the Big Bash League (BBL). Stokes will be available for the full 2026-27 season and has become the first overseas player to join since the new contracting structure for the tournament was confirmed last week.

The BBL has now adopted a direct-signing model and given clubs more freedom to put their money. According to 7News, his deal is in the region of AU$500,000 (US$360,000 approx.). Speaking on his signing, Stokes mentioned that he always enjoyed playing in Australia and expressed excitement about playing at the Adelaide Oval.

"I'm really excited to be joining the Adelaide Strikers for BBL|16. 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,” said Stokes in a media release.

Stokes' T20 Career

It will be Stokes' second stint at the BBL after he earlier played four matches for Melbourne Renegades in 2014-15. Strikers will begin their season against Sydney Thunder, where Stokes will be up against David Warner, in Canberra on December 16. On the other hand, his first home game for the Strikers at Adelaide Oval will be on December 23 in the return Thunder fixture.

Stokes has played 162 T20 matches so far, scoring 3027 runs with two hundreds and ten fifties. He has also scalped 93 wickets with best figures of 4/16.