Cricket Australia has opened the Big Bash to private investment, although individual state associations will retain the power to decide whether and when to sell stakes in their franchises. The governing body had originally been keen on a league-wide sale of franchises for the Big Bash League (BBL) and the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL)
Former England captain Ben Stokes has joined Adelaide Strikers for the 2026-27 season of the T20 Big Bash League. The 35-year-old made the shock decision to retire from international cricket in June, with the announcement coming during the third and final Test of a 2-1 home series defeat against New Zealand. Stokes played 122 Tests,
