Ben Stokes BBL team revealed for 2026-27 season [Source: AFP]According to emerging reports, England legend Ben Stokes might not join Sydney Sixers for the BBL 2026-27 season. After announcing his retirement from international cricket at the fag end of England's home Test series against New Zealand, Stokes was initially reported to make his BBL return through a stint with Sydney Sixers, having previously played the league way back in 2014-15 for the Melbourne Renegades. However, in a dramatic development, Ben Stokes' BBL team for the 2026-27 edition could be a franchise other than Sydney Sixers. Sydney Sixers make room for Tim Seifert, Chris Jordan; Stokes sidelinedAccording to a report from CODE Sports, although the Sixers were the frontrunners to sign Ben Stokes for the BBL 2026-27, they have now changed their minds to draft Tim Seifert and Chris Jordan as their overseas signings. Seifert has showcased red-hot batting form in T20 cricket of late. The swashbuckling New Zealand batter has amassed 1032 runs off just 666 deliveries across 32 T20 innings, averaging 35.6 and striking at 155 in 2026. His recent form, aggressive batting and ability to play shots all around the park are the reasons why the Sixers want Seifert to spearhead their top order in the BBL. On the other hand, Chris Jordan brings plenty of experience to the table, having bagged 463 wickets in 436 matches. He has played 65 BBL matches for five different teams and can comfortably adjust to the Australian conditions during the tournament. Also Read- Exclusive: Glasgow Cosmic's Matthew Mott On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ben Stokes Retirement And England CrisisTherefore, the Sydney Sixers' decision to prefer Tim Seifert and Chris Jordan is expected to close the doors for Ben Stokes, who was earlier reported to join the three-time BBL champions. Jamie Overton's potential move to Stars creates vacancy for Stokes at Adelaide StrikersThe report also states that Jamie Overton could shift his base from Adelaide Strikers to Melbourne Stars for the BBL 2026-27 edition. Overton has been an integral part of the Strikers, leading them to many memorable wins with his incredible all-round attributes. The English cricketer has represented Adelaide Strikers in 28 BBL matches, scalping 39 wickets with his hit-the-deck bowling. Known as a middle and death overs specialist, Overton has also been a handy batter in the lower-middle-order, amassing 366 runs for the Strikers at a healthy strike rate of 139.69. However, his potential exit creates room for the franchise to sign Ben Stokes. “This is now very close to being a done deal. Would be a major surprise if Ben Stokes isn’t playing for the Adelaide Strikers this season.” CODE Sports journalist Daniel Cherney posted on X tracking the sensational development. How can Ben Stokes boost Adelaide Strikers' squad for BBL 2026-27?Ben Stokes is a proven all-rounder, having struck 3027 runs and bagged 93 wickets in T20s. So, he can be a great addition to the Adelaide Strikers' squad as Jamie Overton's like-for-like replacement if the latter indeed pulls off a new deal with the Melbourne Stars. Talking specifically about BBL, Stokes has scored 128 runs in 4 innings at a blistering strike rate of 156.09. Although his T20I numbers are modest, Stokes helped England win the 2022 T20 World Cup on Australian soil, scoring a match-winning fifty in the final. Currently, the Strikers have Alex Carey, Mackenzie Harvey, Thomas Kelly and Jason Sangha as their designated batters. Liam Scott, Lloyd Pope, Henry Thornton and Tom Straker are the bowlers in their squad, with Matt Short and Jerrssis Wadia retaining their places as the spin-bowling all-rounders. So, with Overton set to leave the franchise, Adelaide Strikers certainly have an opportunity to sign Ben Stokes as their designated pace-bowling all-rounder and boost their squad for the showpiece event. Also Read: Tamim Iqbal Pulls Rabbit Out Of The Hat For India vs Bangladesh Schedule
