​BBL transfer war: Ben Stokes keen on Big Bash return as three teams target the marquee signing originally appeared on Cricket News.
Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Ben Stokes looks set to join the Big Bash League this summer, with three franchises actively chasing his signature.The Sydney Sixers, Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades are all reportedly ready to invest heavily to sign him.Cricket Australia’s new marquee fund system gives clubs more freedom to directly negotiate with global superstars like Stokes.BBL set to welcome back Ben Stokes with three franchises fighting for his signatureBen Stokes’ retirement from England duty has set off a scramble in Australian franchise cricket, with three Big Bash League clubs reportedly circling one of the biggest names available on the open market.According to Tom Morris, the former England captain looks almost certain to turn out in the BBL this summer, even if his stay ends up being a short one. The Melbourne Renegades, Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers have all been named as serious contenders in the race, with reports suggesting Stokes himself is genuinely keen on making the move.Morris, through a post on X, revealed that the Sixers are prepared to go all-in to land the all-rounder, and they’re not the only ones.”Ben Stokes is the name on the lips of many clubs. So, the Sixers are all in for Ben Stokes. The Strikers are all in for Ben Stokes, and I believe one other club is as well. And I also believe that he’s keen to come out,” he said during commentating on Australia’s first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin. The BBL franchises in for Ben Stokes: Renegades, Sixers, Strikers. He has indicated he’s keen to come.- Stars are chasing Finn Allen on big $.- Strikers, Heat & Hurricanes want Adam Zampa.- Embargo period is set to lift late next week. 👇@7Cricket@7NewsMelbourne… https://t.co/bg6xEXpnrw— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) August 15, 2026Why won’t Stokes play the full BBL tournament?However, Stokes will not feature across the entire BBL season. Other commitments will keep him away for parts of it, but that hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm from interested franchises one bit.”Albeit not for the entire Big Bash, because he’ll have some other commitments, but it would now be a real surprise to the people I speak to if Ben Stokes isn’t playing Big Bash this summer. Which is a huge coup,” Morris added.What’s made this chase possible in the first place is a shift in how Cricket Australia structures overseas signings. Rather than sticking to the old draft-based system, clubs now operate under a shared marquee fund worth somewhere between $1.35 million and $1.375 million, which can be split across four marquee signings.MORE: Most expensive BBL player: Ben Stokes to compete with KKR star as bidding war looms ahead of Big Bash League 2026-27 seasonMorris explained the mechanics: “So, there’s a marquee player pool of around 1.35 to 1.375