Ben Stokes Joins Adelaide Strikers for Full BBL 16 Campaign

BBC Sport reported on Tuesday that former England captain Ben Stokes has joined Adelaide Strikers for the 2026-27 Big Bash League season. The T20 move gives the Australian club an established all-rounder for the full BBL 16 campaign, according to Adelaide, with the competition beginning in December.

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Stokes, 35, retired from international cricket in June. His announcement came during the third and final Test of England's home series against New Zealand, which the visitors won 2-1. The Adelaide agreement therefore marks a new chapter for a player whose England career spanned all three international formats.

He finished with 122 Test appearances, 114 one-day internationals and 43 T20 internationals for England. Among the defining moments of that career was the 2019 50-over World Cup final against New Zealand, when he made 84 as England secured the trophy for the first time.

The Strikers said Stokes will be available throughout the coming Big Bash campaign. It will not be his first spell in the competition: he previously had a brief stint with Melbourne Renegades in 2015. His return places him at Adelaide Oval, the Strikers' home ground, for the new season.

In comments published with the announcement, Stokes said he was excited to join Adelaide and described the chance to play for the Strikers as an opportunity he could not pass up. He also praised Adelaide Oval and the Big Bash, and said he was looking forward to meeting his new teammates and contributing during the season.

Adelaide head coach Tim Paine welcomed the signing, describing Stokes as one of cricket's leading all-rounders and highlighting his record as a match-winner under pressure. Paine said the club was eager to see Stokes join the squad for BBL 16.

The Strikers are scheduled to begin their season against Sydney Thunder on December 16. Stokes's stated full-campaign availability means he is expected to be part of Adelaide's plans from the opening fixture as the club prepares for the 2026-27 tournament.