Ben Stokes, the former England cricket captain, has signed with the Adelaide Strikers to participate in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) for the 2026/27 season. The 35-year-old all-rounder retired from international cricket following England’s Test series against New Zealand earlier this year. Since leaving the international stage, Stokes has continued to play domestic cricket for Durham in both the County Championship and one-day competitions.

Stokes had a previous stint in the BBL during the 2024/25 season when he played for the Melbourne Renegades. His return to the league with the Strikers will see him available for the full tournament, which runs from mid-December to late January. Reports indicate that Stokes is expected to earn approximately £260,000 ($351,000) for the season.

In a statement, Stokes expressed enthusiasm about joining the Adelaide team, highlighting his positive experiences playing cricket in Australia and his appreciation for the Adelaide Oval as a venue. He noted that the Big Bash League is a high-quality competition and voiced optimism about contributing to the Strikers’ campaign alongside a promising squad.

Stokes’s international career concluded amid some controversy, as he was dropped from the England side for one Test against New Zealand after a disciplinary breach involving a team curfew and an incident at a nightclub, which also involved teammate Gus Atkinson. Despite the circumstances surrounding his international departure, Stokes remains active in the sport at the domestic level and has embraced opportunities to participate in franchise T20 cricket overseas.

The addition of Stokes is expected to bring significant experience and skill to the Adelaide Strikers lineup as they prepare for the upcoming season of the Big Bash League.