Ben Stokes has signed with the Adelaide Strikers for the 2026-27 Big Bash League season. The England all-rounder is expected to earn around AUD $500,000 for his stint. He will be available for the entire tournament. This makes him one of the biggest signings of the year.
Stokes had offers from the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades before choosing Adelaide. The Strikers have also signed New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert as another marquee signing for the season.
Stokes retired from Test cricket earlier this year. With his red-ball career over, he sees the BBL as a chance to continue playing competitive cricket at the highest level. His retirement means he will not be part of England’s Ashes campaign next year, leaving him fully available for franchise commitments.
This is not Stokes’ first time in the BBL. He played for the Melbourne Renegades in the 2014-15 season. He played four matches and scored 128 runs at an average of 32. His highest score was 77 off 37 balls against the Hobart Hurricanes.
Across his T20 career, Stokes has played 162 matches. He has scored 3,027 runs at an average of 24.41 and a strike rate of 132.87. He has also taken 93 wickets. His last T20 appearance was in August 2024.
Mayank Agarwal Joins Durham: India Batter Reunites With Ben Stokes for County Season
Indian cricketer Mayank Agarwal has joined Durham for the final four matches of the county season. He will link up with his former Rising Pune Supergiant teammate Ben Stokes, who captains the side. Agarwal replaces South African international David Bedingham, who is returning home. He will be available for the match against Northamptonshire on Wednesday.
Agarwal was the 12th-highest run-scorer in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, with 678 runs at an average of 42.37. He was also stripped of the Karnataka captaincy midway through the season. He played 21 Tests for India, scoring 1,488 runs at an average of 41.33, with four centuries. He also featured in five ODIs. Though he has never played a Test in England, this will be his second stint in English domestic cricket. He featured in the final three games of last season for Yorkshire.
Durham head coach Ryan Campbell said the team is delighted to have Agarwal join. He called him a hugely talented batter with a superb first-class record. He said the move was important after Bedingham’s departure. Agarwal will contribute as Durham looks to secure their return to Division One of the County Championship.
Ben Stokes Rules Out Comeback and Reveals Coaching Ambition
Ben Stokes confirmed that his retirement from international cricket is permanent. He said he would “defo” not be making a return, putting an end to speculation about a potential comeback for next summer’s Ashes series.
Stokes opened up about his future plans in his first major interview since retiring. He said he wants to stay in the game and would “absolutely” love to coach England one day. He is drawn to leadership roles and is already thinking about his next chapter.
He also spoke about the timing of his exit and Brendon McCullum’s departure as Test head coach. Stokes said McCullum would still be in charge if he had not retired himself. He described the moment he told McCullum over toast in the kitchen.
Stokes had mixed feelings about Joe Root returning as Test captain. He said he hopes Root succeeds but expressed concern for his friend. He saw how much the role took out of Root the last time and does not want him to go through that again.
He questioned why Harry Brook was not given the captaincy. Brook was the vice-captain but was overlooked. Stokes said if you think someone is a good leader, you should give them the role. He pointed out that he had no leadership experience when he took over.
Stokes also reflected on his own time as captain. He said he wanted to continue playing for England only as captain. He felt he had given everything to that role and could not imagine carrying on without it. He is now fully focused on the next stage of his career.
Stokes confirmed he is playing in the Big Bash League for Adelaide Strikers this season. He will also continue to lead the Trent Rockets in the Hundred. He believes the time was right to step away. He is grateful for his time as England captain. He is now looking forward to supporting the team from outside and eventually leading it in the future.
FAQs
Q. Which BBL team has signed Ben Stokes?
A. Ben Stokes has signed with Adelaide Strikers.
Q. How long will Ben Stokes be available in BBL 2026-27?
A. Stokes will be available for the entire BBL season.
Q. How much is Ben Stokes expected to earn?
A. Stokes is expected to earn around AUD $500,000.
Q. Has Ben Stokes played in the BBL before?
A. Yes, Stokes played four matches for Melbourne Renegades.
Q. Will Ben Stokes return to international cricket?
A. No, Stokes confirmed his international retirement is permanent.
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