Adelaide Strikers Head Coach, Tim Paine, believes Ben Stokes\u2019 arrival at the club will provide an enormous boost both on and off the field, with the England Star bringing world-class ability, leadership and experience to Adelaide.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Speaking to the media on Wednesday morning, Paine confirmed Stokes signing has been in the works for some time, following his retirement from Test cricket in June. The Strikers moved quickly once it became clear the all-rounder was available for the upcoming BBL season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe ticks so many boxes,\u201d Paine said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s still an incredible player. He can impact games with the bat, he can impact in the field, he can impact with the ball,\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd there\u2019s the intangible stuff with Stokesy as well, around his leadership and his presence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stokes will bring more than 15 years of international experience to a Strikers squad that last season featured a number of emerging players.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Having captained England and played leading roles in Ashes series and World Cups, Paine believes Stokes\u2019 experience in high-pressure situations will be invaluable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe exposed some younger guys last year to the Big Bash and to add someone that’s played 15 years of international cricket and captained his country, won World Cups, performed on the biggest stage, under the biggest pressure\u2026 to put that person in our change rooms is going to be awesome, not only for our players, but also for our coaching staff and fans.\u201d Paine said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While Stokes versatility gives the Strikers a number of options, Paine revealed his initial plan is for the Englishman to open the batting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s made to open the batting in Big Bash,\u201d Paine said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the pacey, bouncy wickets in Australia really suit him. I’ve been on the end of a couple of his devastating innings in Test cricket where you feel like you can’t defend the field. He can play 360, he’s got power.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Strikers narrowly missed the finals last season, with Paine identifying several matches where his side had been in a strong position but failed to close out the match.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look back at probably four games where we were in a really strong position to win them,\u201d said Paine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHad we won two of them, who knows where we would have finished.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo have someone of Ben’s quality, whether it be with the bat or the ball, or even just talking to a player late in the innings, when they’re bowling, we think will be a huge difference compared to last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paine is also excited at the prospect of Stokes joining Strikers captain Matt Short at the top of the order.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI love the combination\u2026 they’re both really different. Both absolutely world class.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
“If you’re sitting in front of your TV in December at 7:10 and those two are walking out to open the batting, I think it would be a pretty exciting prospect.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0Beyond his cricketing ability, Paine expects Stokes\u2019 personality and competitive nature to make him a natural fit for Strikers fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“He’s one of the guys that’s come over from England that we’ve kind of loved to hate, and when you think about it, most of those guys that we\u2019re like that with is because they\u2019re up there with some of the best players the game’s seen.” Paine said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But with Stokes now confirmed to be wearing Blue in BBL|16, Paine is confident Strikers fans will embrace having one of the world’s biggest stars on their team.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I know Australian cricket fans have loved beating England and love beating Ben Stokes, but they’ve absolutely always respected the way he plays the game, how competitive he is and how much he wants to win.”<\/p>\n
_<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t miss your chance to see Ben Stokes and the Adelaide Strikers this summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With demand expected to be high, fans can guarantee their place at Adelaide Oval by purchasing an Adelaide Strikers membership through the Adelaide Strikers website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tickets for BBL|16 can be purchased HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n Adelaide Strikers | BBL|16 Full fixture<\/p>\n 16 December 2026 \u2013 Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers \u2013 Manuka Oval<\/p>\n 18 December 2026 \u2013 Melbourne Stars v Adelaide Strikers \u2013 MCG<\/p>\n 23 December 2026 \u2013 Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Thunder \u2013 Adelaide Oval 28 December 2026 \u2013 Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers \u2013 The Gabba<\/p>\n 31 December 2026 \u2013 Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Stars \u2013 Adelaide Oval 3 January 2027 \u2013 Sydney Sixers v Adelaide Strikers \u2013 Manuka Oval<\/p>\n 6 January 2027 \u2013 Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Renegades \u2013 Adelaide Oval 9 January 2027 \u2013 Hobart Hurricanes v Adelaide Strikers \u2013 University of Tasmania Stadium<\/p>\n 12 January 2027 \u2013 Adelaide Strikers v Hobart Hurricanes \u2013 Adelaide Oval
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