A New Chapter in Global T20 Leagues. England all-rounder Ben Stokes appears on track to return to franchise T20 cricket after his long-time retirement from the longest format of the game. CODE Sports of Australia are reporting that the 35-year-old superstar could be set to make his way back to the BBL and the Sydney Sixers are the frontrunners to get him into Australia's premier franchise tournament, the Big Bash League (BBL).
The main factor that will make the Sydney Sixers the most likely to land the marquee player is the presence of former England white-ball head coach Matthew Mott in their coaching and support staff. Stokes and Mott have been in touch on the international level and have very good professional relations that will make a big difference to his decision. Stokes will also make his BBL return for the first time in over a decade when he plays for the Melbourne Renegades in four games during the 2014-15 season.
Lucrative opportunities and fierce competition. The Big Bash League has turned into an attractive place for international cricketers, now that the traditional international draft system has been discarded and BBL franchises are now comfortable to pay $300,000 to play in this fast-paced, one month-long tournament. And so this huge pay package has turned the competition into a very attractive place for global stars.
Sydney Sixers already have an impressive reputation that is apparent as they are a well-rounded team with stars like Australia’s Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc and Pakistan’s Babar Azam in the mix during the 2025-26 season. The Sixers have been to the finals of the tournament in 2025-26 and have won three titles in their history, so they are very well equipped. However, they are not alone in their quest for Stokes and the Hobart Hurricanes are also interested in the Englishman. Cricket Tasmania CEO Dom Baker said there would be an aggressive approach to recruitment and if there was an opportunity to get a guy like Ben Stokes to fill stadiums they will definitely be at the front of the line.
Stokes will head back into the franchise leagues after a long time in Test cricket, and his return to franchise leagues will bring a huge and storied career in Test cricket. The talismanic all-rounder officially ended his Test career in June and the announcement came at a late moment in his life - just days after an off-field incident at a London nightclub. Stokes was one of England's all-time greatest cricketers, and in a 122-Test career, he made 7,273 runs and took 252 wickets, winning his place down the list of all-rounders and is also one of the most successful all-rounders in the history of the game, with his grit and his ever-winning nature.
Despite his departure from red-ball cricket, speculation about a future international red-ball comeback has already begun to circulate. England cricket’s managing director Rob Key has declined to rule out a return to the Test arena for Stokes. When asked about the possibility that the all-rounder might come out of retirement in time for the upcoming Ashes summer in 2027, Key said: “Everything is possible with a player of Stokes’ quality, and if he gets to wear the white flannels again it will make a great story.”
