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Former England captain Ben Stokes has become the centre of a pay dispute in Australian cricket after reports claimed his proposed AUD 600,000 Big Bash League (BBL) contract has frustrated several local players. The all-rounder is reportedly in line to become the highest-paid player in BBL history if he joins the competition later this year
According to the latest reports from Code Sports, Australian cricketers are unhappy that such a lucrative deal is being discussed while negotiations continue between Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) over the league's revised pay structure. Ben Stokes has reportedly become an unintended figure in the ongoing dispute.
Also Read: Stokes rejects Brendon McCullum fallout claims: "Absolutely not"
Ben Stokes tipped for record AUD 600K BBL deal after England retirement
Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket following England's Test series against New Zealand, bringing the curtain down on one of the finest careers in English cricket. Although he has stepped away from representing England, the all-rounder has made it clear that he intends to continue playing domestic and franchise cricket around the world.
Instead of moving straight into coaching or broadcasting, Ben Stokes has resumed playing for Durham and is expected to remain active in county cricket while exploring franchise opportunities.
An earlier report by Code Sports claimed that multiple BBL franchises had expressed interest in signing the England great ahead of the 2026-27 season. The Sydney Sixers were reported to be leading the race, largely because of the arrival of former England white-ball coach Matthew Mott, who shares a successful working relationship with Stokes after helping England win the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Stokes also has previous BBL experience, having represented the Melbourne Renegades during the 2014-15 season. The Hobart Hurricanes have also been linked with the veteran all-rounder, while Cricket Australia is reportedly optimistic about securing his services for at least part of the upcoming tournament.
The proposed contract is believed to be worth around AUD 600,000, which would make Stokes the highest-paid overseas signing in Big Bash League history.
Also Read: "I don't regret": Stokes on forcing James Anderson into retirement
Ben Stokes caught in BBL pay dispute as Australia stars raise concerns
The excitement surrounding Ben Stokes' potential arrival has now been overshadowed by an ongoing disagreement over player payments in the Big Bash League.
According to the latest Code Sports report, several Australian cricketers are unhappy with the possibility of an overseas player earning around AUD 600,000 while Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association continue negotiating a revised BBL pay model.
Journalist Daniel Cherny reported that Stokes has become an "unwitting pawn" in the prolonged discussions between the two sides over the competition's salary structure. The report suggested the frustration is directed more towards the proposed payment model than towards Stokes himself.
The report added that if Ben Stokes does feature in this season's Big Bash League, he is unlikely to come cheaply, with his expected salary reportedly leaving several Australian players "less than impressed."
If Ben Stokes features in the BBL this summer, he's not going to come cheap.
— CODE Cricket (@codecricketau) August 5, 2026
And, Australia's stars are less than impressed.
STORY ▶️ https://t.co/qoT89wntIW pic.twitter.com/pmshwzpURh
Ben Stokes questions Harry Brook's snub as England Test captain
Away from franchise cricket, Ben Stokes has also questioned England's decision not to appoint Harry Brook as Test captain despite naming him vice-captain during the Ashes.
The debate intensified after England's managing director Rob Key explained that the ECB believed it was "too soon" to hand Brook the Test captaincy. Stokes, however, admitted he struggled to understand that reasoning.
Speaking on the For The Love Of Cricket podcast, Ben Stokes said: "If you think someone's going to be a good captain or a good leader, then just give it to them even if… Brooky, made vice captain, I'm not there anymore, but even when I missed that test match, I was like, 'Why is Brooky not [leading]… like, he's vice captain?!'
"I understood the reasoning why they were saying it, but I was still like, 'Well, what message is that sending to him? He's vice captain and then the captain is not playing, but he's not captain.' And then the same again here [with the full-time job].
"What message has that sent? Brooky will... just go out there and bat. He'll just be like, 'It's fine, whatever'. Because he just loves batting, he loves scoring runs, he loves playing cricket. Again, I don't know. I had no leadership or captaincy experience when I took over," he added.
Also Read: Stokes rules out 2027 Ashes comeback, says playing without captaincy was impossible
