Ben Stokes linked with Big Bash return after international retirement

Ben Stokes, the former England Test captain, is being linked with a return to the Big Bash League following his retirement from international cricket. The 35-year-old's last BBL appearance came during the 2014-15 summer when he turned out for the Melbourne Renegades, and his departure from the international game has opened up his schedule to end an absence of more than a decade from the competition.

Latest reports circulating online indicate that the Sydney Sixers are the frontrunners to secure the services of Stokes, though several other franchises are also in contention. The Hobart Hurricanes are among the interested parties, with Cricket Tasmania chief Dom Baker having confirmed last month that the state body is keen to bring Stokes to the Apple Isle. Sources within Australian cricket are said to be optimistic about completing a deal, with indications that Stokes would be willing to participate in at least a portion of the upcoming season.

According to Fox Sports, two factors could complicate negotiations: a reported preference to be at home over Christmas and the financially attractive SA20 competition, which begins in January. Even so, talk within cricket circles suggests Stokes could become the most expensive signing in BBL history.

Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association are currently negotiating amended list rules, meaning clubs cannot yet finalise any agreements. A key proposal under discussion is the removal of the BBL overseas player draft, which would allow Stokes and other international cricketers to sign directly with franchises of their choosing.

Under the proposed framework, individual marquee player deals are estimated to exceed $300,000, with clubs expected to share a combined pool of around $1.375 million to sign four superstars. At least one of those signings must be an overseas player, and at least one must be Australian. The rationale behind the change is to make the BBL more financially competitive for Australia's domestic stars, countering the pull of leagues such as the SA20 and the UAE's ILT20. The structure also encourages bidding contests between franchises, as is already evident in the pursuit of Stokes.

The Sixers hold a notable advantage in that race. Matthew Mott, the former England white-ball coach, was recently installed as the replacement for Greg Shipperd in the head coaching role at Sydney, giving the franchise a familiar connection to Stokes.

Should Stokes commit to only part of the BBL season, Finn Allen is well placed to become the competition's top earner. The 27-year-old New Zealand opener, who can also keep wicket, has featured for the Perth Scorchers across the past two campaigns. Under the previous fixed overseas player price tiers, Allen was reportedly earning $420,000 per season at Perth. With the new rules in play, the Adelaide Strikers and the Melbourne Stars are both chasing his signature, with a reported price tag of around $600,000.

Allen scored 466 runs at a strike rate of 184.18 for the Scorchers last summer, finishing as the competition's leading run-scorer as Perth lifted a sixth men's BBL title. He has carried that form into international cricket, accumulating 298 runs at a strike rate of 200 as New Zealand advanced to the T20 World Cup final earlier this year.

Elsewhere, Australian players Adam Zampa and Josh Inglis are both without BBL contracts after their respective deals with the Renegades and the Scorchers came to an end. Zampa is expected to sign with the Brisbane Heat following his move to Queensland, while Inglis is set to miss the bulk of the BBL season owing to Test commitments that include home fixtures against New Zealand and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in India.