Adelaide Strikers begin BBL 2026-27 with Ben Stokes and Mark Chapman joining Matt Short’s core

Adelaide Strikers enter BBL|16 with Matt Short as captain and Tim Paine as head coach, with 12 players now confirmed on the primary roster. Mark Chapman has also joined the Strikers after signing for the full BBL|16 season, while Ben Stokes is available for the entire campaign. Jamie Overton, meanwhile, has moved to the Melbourne Stars. The Strikers will play five home matches at Adelaide Oval.

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Adelaide Strikers at a glance

Adelaide Strikers schedule for BBL 2026-27

Adelaide Strikers begin BBL|16 away to Sydney Thunder at Corroboree Group Oval Manuka on 16 December. Their first home match is also against Thunder at Adelaide Oval on 23 December.

The table uses AEDT as the reference time published for the BBL|16 fixture. Adelaide local time is 30 minutes behind AEDT during daylight saving, so a 7:15 PM AEDT listing corresponds to 6:45 PM in Adelaide.

See the complete BBL 2026-27 schedule for all 44 matches or download the BBL|16 schedule PDF.

Who is in the Adelaide Strikers squad for BBL|16?

Adelaide Strikers have 11 players contracted for BBL|16 as of 15 September 2026. Matt Short, Alex Carey and Jerrssis Wadia are secured beyond the coming season, while Ben Stokes is the only confirmed overseas player.

The BBL|16 primary-roster limit is 18 players. Adelaide therefore have space for up to six more primary players. A club may carry no more than three overseas players, leaving the Strikers with room for up to two additional overseas signings.

This is the current contracted list, not the final playing XI. Match selection, injuries and later signings may change the available group before the first game.

Why is the Ben Stokes signing important?

Ben Stokes is Adelaide Strikers’ main addition for BBL|16. The England all-rounder has signed for the entire campaign, so his contract is not limited to selected matches.

Stokes previously played in the Big Bash League for Melbourne Renegades during BBL|04. He returns after retiring from international cricket and will work with former Australia captain Tim Paine, who now coaches the Strikers.

Paine has indicated that Stokes could open the batting. That would place him alongside a top-order group containing Matt Short, Alex Carey, Jason Sangha and Liam Scott. Stokes also provides another pace-bowling option and gives Adelaide an experienced finisher when required.

The Adelaide Strikers’ Stokes announcement states that he will be available for the full BBL|16 season.

Who joined and left Adelaide Strikers?

Confirmed arrival

Ben Stokes: The former England captain has signed as an overseas player for BBL|16. He is available for all ten regular-season matches and any finals for which Adelaide qualify.

Departed player

Jamie Overton: The England fast-bowling all-rounder has left Adelaide Strikers and joined Melbourne Stars. He took 12 wickets and scored 90 runs for Adelaide during BBL|15.

Players retained on new deals

Mackenzie Harvey, Henry Thornton and Jerrssis Wadia received new contracts before BBL|16. Wadia moves onto the primary roster after initially appearing as a replacement player.

Wadia was born in India but is contracted by Adelaide as a local player. He does not occupy one of the club’s overseas-player places.

Which former Strikers players are uncontracted?

Ten players from Adelaide’s BBL|15 group were uncontracted at the latest roster check.

Uncontracted players are not part of the current BBL|16 squad. They could still sign a new agreement, join another club or remain outside the competition, but none should be presented as confirmed until a new contract is announced.

Is Travis Head playing for Adelaide Strikers in BBL|16?

Travis Head is not currently contracted for BBL|16. His one-season agreement expired after BBL|15, and Cricket Australia lists him among Adelaide’s uncontracted players.

Head has not played a BBL match during the past three seasons because of Australian commitments. His history with the Strikers does not reserve a place on the BBL|16 roster.

Is Chris Lynn still with Adelaide Strikers?

Chris Lynn is uncontracted as of 15 September 2026. His fourth consecutive one-season Adelaide deal expired after BBL|15.

Lynn remains the leading run-scorer in men’s Big Bash League history, but he should not appear in the confirmed Adelaide Strikers squad unless the club announces another agreement.

Is Hassan Ali confirmed for Adelaide Strikers?

Hassan Ali is not contracted for BBL|16 at the latest check. The Pakistan fast bowler played for Adelaide in BBL|15 and took nine wickets, but his previous deal has expired.

Tabraiz Shamsi and Luke Wood are also uncontracted. Ben Stokes is currently Adelaide’s only confirmed overseas player.

How does the Adelaide Strikers squad look by role?

Top-order batting

Matt Short remains the central figure in Adelaide’s batting plans. He scored 280 runs in BBL|15 and is contracted through BBL|17. Ben Stokes could open alongside him, while Alex Carey provides another experienced top-order option.

Mackenzie Harvey, Thomas Kelly and Jason Sangha give Adelaide further batting depth. Liam Scott led the Strikers’ BBL|15 run-scoring with 310 runs and returns as one of the side’s main all-rounders.

Wicketkeeping

Alex Carey is the only specialist wicketkeeper on the current primary list. He is contracted through BBL|17.

Harry Nielsen, who was part of the previous-season group, remains uncontracted.

All-round options

Ben Stokes, Liam Scott, Matt Short and Jerrssis Wadia give Adelaide several players capable of contributing in both innings.

Short offers off-spin, while Stokes and Scott provide pace-bowling options. Wadia earned a full contract after making an impact as a replacement player during BBL|15.

Spin bowling

Lloyd Pope is the only specialist spinner on the current contracted list. He was Adelaide’s leading wicket-taker in BBL|15 with 15 wickets.

Cameron Boyce and Tabraiz Shamsi are uncontracted, leaving spin depth as one of the areas Adelaide may address with its remaining roster places.

Fast bowling

Henry Thornton and Tom Straker are the specialist fast bowlers currently contracted. Stokes, Scott and Wadia can provide additional seam options.

Jamie Overton has moved to Melbourne Stars, while Hassan Ali, Jordan Buckingham and Luke Wood remain uncontracted. Further pace recruitment would give Adelaide more cover across the ten-match regular season.

When are the Adelaide Strikers home matches?

All five Adelaide Strikers home matches are scheduled at Adelaide Oval.

• 23 December: Sydney Thunder
• 31 December: Melbourne Stars
• 6 January: Melbourne Renegades
• 12 January: Hobart Hurricanes
• 16 January: Perth Scorchers

The New Year’s Eve match against Melbourne Stars remains the standout date on Adelaide’s home schedule. The regular season ends with a home game against defending champions Perth Scorchers on 16 January.

What happened to Adelaide Strikers in BBL|15?

Adelaide Strikers finished sixth in BBL|15 with eight points and did not qualify for the finals.

Liam Scott led the team’s batting with 310 runs, followed by Matt Short with 280. Lloyd Pope took a team-high 15 wickets. Jamie Overton claimed 12 wickets before leaving for Melbourne Stars, while Hassan Ali took nine and is now uncontracted.

The BBL|15 results show why Adelaide’s current roster still needs more bowling depth. Pope remains the main specialist spinner, while Overton and three other leading wicket-takers from last season are not on the contracted BBL|16 list.

Have Adelaide Strikers won the Big Bash League?

Adelaide Strikers have won the men’s Big Bash League once. They lifted the BBL|07 title in the 2017-18 season after defeating Hobart Hurricanes by 25 runs at Adelaide Oval.

The Strikers have not returned to the Final since that championship. BBL|16 gives them an opportunity to end an eight-season wait for a second title.