Adelaide Strikers BBL 2026-27 Squad, Players & Fixtures

ADELAIDE STRIKERS BBL 16 SCHEDULE

Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf remains Adelaide’s headline overseas pace recruit, joining Ben Stokes and Mark Chapman as the club’s three international signings. All three are available for the full BBL|16 tournament, including finals.

The Strikers have four primary roster vacancies remaining under head coach Tim Paine. Their first match is against Sydney Thunder on 16 December, followed by their Adelaide Oval home opener on 23 December.

Explore all BBL 2026-27 squads for confirmed players and remaining vacancies.

Adelaide Strikers at a glance

Team detailBBL 2026–27 information
TeamAdelaide Strikers
CityAdelaide, South Australia
CompetitionBig Bash League 2026–27 (BBL16)
CaptainMatt Short
Head coachTim Paine
Home groundAdelaide Oval
Regular-season matches10
Home matches5
Confirmed primary players14
Available roster places4
Overseas playersHaris Rauf, Ben Stokes, Mark Chapman
Overseas vacancies0
Latest signingHarjas Singh
BBL titles1
Last title2017–18
BBL15 finishSixth, 8 points
First BBL16 match16 December vs Sydney Thunder
First home match23 December vs Sydney Thunder

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.

DateFixtureVenueAEDTISTPKT
16 December 2026Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide StrikersCorroboree Group Oval Manuka7:15 PM1:45 PM1:15 PM
18 December 2026Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide StrikersMCG7:15 PM1:45 PM1:15 PM
23 December 2026Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney ThunderAdelaide Oval7:15 PM1:45 PM1:15 PM
28 December 2026Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide StrikersThe Gabba7:15 PM1:45 PM1:15 PM
31 December 2026Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne StarsAdelaide Oval7:15 PM1:45 PM1:15 PM
3 January 2027Sydney Sixers vs Adelaide StrikersCorroboree Group Oval Manuka7:15 PM1:45 PM1:15 PM
6 January 2027Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne RenegadesAdelaide Oval7:15 PM1:45 PM1:15 PM
9 January 2027Hobart Hurricanes vs Adelaide StrikersUniversity of Tasmania Stadium7:15 PM1:45 PM1:15 PM
12 January 2027Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart HurricanesAdelaide Oval7:15 PM1:45 PM1:15 PM
16 January 2027Adelaide Strikers vs Perth ScorchersAdelaide Oval4:00 PM10:30 AM10:00 AM

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 14 players contracted to their BBL 2026-27 primary squad, including latest signing Harjas Singh.

The left-handed Australian batter joins a group led by Matt Short, with Alex Carey, Ben Stokes, Mark Chapman, Jason Sangha and Liam Scott providing established batting options.

Haris Rauf, Ben Stokes and Mark Chapman occupy Adelaide’s three overseas positions.

PlayerRoleContract status
Alex CareyWicketkeeper-batterThrough BBL17
Mark ChapmanLeft-handed batter, overseasBBL16
Mackenzie HarveyBatterBBL16
Thomas KellyBatterBBL16
Lloyd PopeLeg-spinnerBBL16
Haris RaufRight-arm fast bowler, overseasBBL16
Jason SanghaBatterBBL16
Liam ScottBatting allrounderBBL16
Harjas SinghLeft-handed batterBBL16 — new signing
Matt ShortBatting allrounder, captainThrough BBL17
Ben StokesAllrounder, overseasBBL16
Tom StrakerFast bowlerBBL16
Henry ThorntonFast bowlerBBL16
Jerrssis WadiaSpin-bowling allrounderThrough BBL17

Adelaide have four remaining primary-squad positions, with no overseas vacancies.

Harjas Singh adds another domestic batting option following the club’s earlier overseas recruitment of Ben Stokes, Mark Chapman and Haris Rauf.

A confirmed primary contract does not guarantee selection in every match. Adelaide’s starting XI will depend on player availability, form and conditions.

Follow the latest BBL 2026-27 player signings for transfers and contract updates.

Haris Rauf joins Adelaide Strikers for BBL 2026-27

Adelaide Strikers have officially signed Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf for the entire BBL|16 season, including finals.

Rauf joins Adelaide after five seasons with Melbourne Stars, where he became one of the Big Bash League’s leading fast bowlers. The Pakistan international has taken 56 wickets in 33 BBL appearances, with career-best figures of 5/27 against Hobart Hurricanes. He finished BBL|15 as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, claiming 20 wickets in 11 matches for Melbourne Stars.

DetailRecord
New BBL teamAdelaide Strikers
Previous teamMelbourne Stars
BBL appearances33
Career wickets56
Best bowling figures5/27
BBL15 wickets20 in 11 matches
BBL16 availabilityFull season, including finals
Overseas statusThird and final overseas signing

How does Haris Rauf strengthen Adelaide’s bowling?

Rauf brings pace and experience to Adelaide’s attack after the departure of England allrounder Jamie Overton to Melbourne Stars.

His ability to bowl above 145 km/h adds another specialist fast-bowling option alongside Henry Thornton and Tom Straker.

Ben Stokes and Liam Scott provide seam-bowling options alongside Haris Rauf, Henry Thornton and Tom Straker. Jerrssis Wadia adds left-arm spin, complementing Lloyd Pope’s leg-spin and Matt Short’s off-spin.

Adelaide now have a more experienced pace attack than the previous contracted squad suggested, although team selection will determine Rauf’s exact bowling role.

When will Haris Rauf face Melbourne Stars?

Rauf’s first scheduled meeting with his former club is on 18 December 2026 at the MCG. The teams meet again on 31 December at Adelaide Oval, giving Strikers supporters an opportunity to watch Rauf face Melbourne Stars in the New Year’s Eve fixture. The official Adelaide Strikers announcement confirms his signing and full-season availability.

Why is the Ben Stokes signing important?

Ben Stokes is one of Adelaide Strikers’ three overseas signings for BBL|16, alongside Haris Rauf and Mark Chapman.

The former England captain has committed to the entire campaign, including finals. His arrival brings experienced batting and allround skills, while Rauf strengthens the fast bowling and Chapman adds another left-handed middle-order option.

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.

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

Ben Stokes is Adelaide Strikers’ main addition for BBL|16

Who joined and left Adelaide Strikers?

Adelaide Strikers have added left-handed Australian batter Harjas Singh following his previous association with Sydney Sixers.

The 21-year-old arrives after a record-breaking Sydney Premier Cricket season and adds another aggressive batting option alongside Matt Short, Alex Carey, Jason Sangha and Liam Scott.

His signing increases Adelaide’s confirmed primary squad to 14 players, with four vacancies remaining.

The club’s overseas recruitment remains complete, with Haris Rauf, Ben Stokes and Mark Chapman signed for the full tournament.

Confirmed overseas signings for BBL|16

Adelaide Strikers have completed their international recruitment with three full-season signings.

PlayerCountryRoleAvailability
Haris RaufPakistanFast bowlerFull season, including finals
Ben StokesEnglandBatting allrounderFull season, including finals
Mark ChapmanNew ZealandMiddle-order batterFull season, including finals

Rauf arrives from Melbourne Stars after taking a competition-high 20 wickets in BBL|15.

Stokes returns to the Big Bash following his earlier spell with Melbourne Renegades, while Chapman joins after recent franchise cricket experience in the PSL and Major League Cricket.

Their full-season commitments give Tim Paine greater certainty around overseas-player availability throughout the regular season and potential finals.

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 Adelaide Strikers players are uncontracted?

Ten players from Adelaide’s previous BBL squad remain outside the confirmed primary roster in the latest November 2026 contracting update.

These include Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Hassan Ali, Cameron Boyce and Tabraiz Shamsi.

Being uncontracted does not mean a player has retired or is permanently unavailable. It means the player does not currently hold a confirmed Adelaide Strikers BBL|16 primary-squad contract.

PlayerBBL16 contract status
Hassan AliUncontracted
Cameron BoyceUncontracted
Jordan BuckinghamUncontracted
Travis HeadUncontracted
Chris LynnUncontracted
Harry ManentiUncontracted
Harry NielsenUncontracted
Alex RossUncontracted
Tabraiz ShamsiUncontracted
Luke WoodUncontracted

These players are outside Adelaide’s confirmed BBL|16 primary squad. An expired deal does not establish retirement or a permanent departure; a new agreement could still be announced while roster places remain open. Current contracts appear in the squads hub.

How does the Adelaide Strikers squad look by role?

Top-order batting

Matt Short remains central to Adelaide Strikers’ batting plans after scoring 280 runs in BBL|15. Ben Stokes is another potential opening option, while Alex Carey offers experience at the top of the order.

The addition of Harjas Singh gives Adelaide another attacking left-handed batter.

Harjas enters BBL|16 after scoring 1,193 runs across Sydney Premier Cricket formats, including an innings of 314 featuring 35 sixes.

New Zealand international Mark Chapman adds further left-handed batting depth, while Liam Scott was Adelaide’s leading run-scorer in BBL|15 with 310 runs.

Jason Sangha, Mackenzie Harvey and Thomas Kelly provide additional domestic options.

Adelaide have several possible batting combinations, but the opening partnership and Harjas Singh’s position have not been confirmed.

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

Haris Rauf, Henry Thornton and Tom Straker are Adelaide’s specialist fast-bowling options. Ben Stokes and Liam Scott can contribute seam overs, while Jerrssis Wadia belongs in the spin group.

Adelaide have four primary roster positions available following Harjas Singh’s signing. Their overseas recruitment is complete, with Haris Rauf, Ben Stokes and Mark Chapman contracted for the full tournament.

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.

Adelaide’s BBL|15 bowling figures highlight why Haris Rauf is an important signing. Lloyd Pope led the Strikers with 15 wickets, while Jamie Overton took 12 before moving to Melbourne Stars.

Rauf claimed 20 wickets for Melbourne Stars in the same tournament and now brings that experience to Adelaide’s attack. His signing strengthens the pace group, while Pope remains the primary specialist spinner.

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.

Adelaide Strikers BBL|16 FAQs

Matt Short remains Adelaide Strikers captain, with Tim Paine continuing as head coach.

Yes. Ben Stokes has signed for Adelaide Strikers and the club says he will be available for the entire BBL|16 campaign.

Adelaide Strikers have 14 confirmed primary-squad players, leaving four roster vacancies under the 18-player limit.