FORMER England captain Ben Stokes has signed his first overseas deal since retiring from international cricket, joining Adelaide Strikers in Australia’s Big Bash League.

Stokes bowed out as Test skipper in dramatic scenes earlier this summer, publicly announcing his retirement midway through a bowling spell on the penultimate day of a series decider against New Zealand.

He had been stood down from the previous match after breaking “contractual obligations” on a night out in London and walked away after telling his team-mates in an emotional dressing room speech at Trent Bridge.

Now, after returning to county duty with Durham in recent weeks, he has made his first steps back into the T20 franchise world by linking up with the Strikers in South Australia – where England officially lost the Ashes last winter by going 3-0 down in the five-match series.

The 35-year-old is available for the entire six-and-a-half-week tournament, which runs from mid-December to January 26, and is reportedly set to earn around £260,000. England’s tour of South Africa occupies the same spot in the calendar.

“I’m really excited to be joining the Adelaide Strikers for BBL16,” said Stokes, who had also been linked with Melbourne Renegades, who he briefly played for more than a decade ago, and Sydney Sixers.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing in Australia, and when the opportunity came up to join the Strikers it was one I couldn’t pass up. Adelaide Oval is an incredible place to play cricket, the Big Bash is a fantastic competition and the Strikers have an exciting group, so I’m looking forward to meeting the players, getting stuck in and contributing to a successful season.

“I can’t wait to get started, create some special memories with the group and give Strikers fans plenty to cheer about.”

Adelaide head coach Tim Paine, who was Australia captain when Stokes produced his “miracle of Headingley” in the 2019 Ashes, was thrilled to land the deal.

“Ben is one of the greatest all-rounders the game has seen, a proven match-winner and a competitor who thrives under pressure,” Paine said.

“We’re thrilled to have a player of his ability join our squad and can’t wait to see him put on a show. Our fans have watched him produce some of the most memorable moments over the past decade, and now they’ll have the chance to see him in Strikers blue.”

Speculation that Stokes might reverse his retirement in order to have one last crack at Australia next summer has simmered away ever since his dramatic exit in Nottingham.

He has given no indication that he would be ready to return but the door has been theoretically kept open with director of cricket Rob Key declaring “anything is possible with Ben.”