Ben Stokes agrees to make BBL return

Stokes has agreed a deal with the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming Big Bash League season, adding one of the game’s most influential all-rounders to the squad for the full campaign.

The 35-year-old has built an international career spanning more than 15 years, headlined by an unbeaten 84 in the 2019 World Cup final that helped force a Super Over and secure England’s maiden ODI title, and an unbeaten 135 at Headingley weeks later that levelled the Ashes with a one-wicket win over Australia.

At 47, Imran Tahir is still doing the business

Across formats, Stokes has scored more than 11,000 international runs, including a Test-best 258 and an ODI-best 182, with 19 centuries in total, and has taken 352 international wickets, including a best of 6-22. In the IPL, he has scored two T20 centuries.

Stokes said he had always enjoyed playing in Australia and was looking forward to featuring at Adelaide Oval, adding he was eager to contribute to a successful season for the Strikers.

Head coach Tim Paine welcomed the signing, describing Stokes as one of the greatest all-rounders the game has seen and a proven performer under pressure, adding that fans would now get to see him produce moments in Strikers colours after years of watching him from afar.

AFRICA PICKS: Cricket tips and predictions

Stoked.

The Adelaide Strikers are thrilled to announce the signing of one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders, Ben Stokes, ahead of BBL|16.

Details → https://t.co/a18wsyxP5y pic.twitter.com/SozHIsrdTw

— Adelaide Strikers (@StrikersBBL) September 1, 2026

Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

The post Ben Stokes agrees to make BBL return appeared first on SA Cricket Mag.