Ben Stokes joins Adelaide Strikers for BBL on record overseas deal

Ben Stokes has signed with the Adelaide Strikers for the 2026-27 Big Bash League season—the most expensive overseas contract in BBL history at around Rs 4 crore. The 34-year-old former England all-rounder retires from international cricket this winter and heads straight to Australia to line up at Adelaide Oval starting in December.

Stokes called the venue an incredible place to play cricket. It's his first professional stint in Australian domestic cricket, capping a 109-Test, 114-ODI, and 43-T20I England career. The move signals what's already reshaping cricket's off-season: even the generation's biggest names now chase franchise paydays the moment their international contracts end.