Former England captain Ben Stokes has signed for Adelaide Strikers in Australia’s Big Bash League.

Stokes retired from international cricket midway through England’s recent Test series defeat against New Zealand.

The 35-year-old has continued played domestic county cricket for Durham since his exit from England duty.

He had been dropped for the second Test against New Zealand after breaking a team curfew in a nightclub incident also involving England team-mate Gus Atkinson.

Stokes’s decision to play for Adelaide takes him back into the T20 franchise world after a brief stint at Big Bash side Melbourne Renegades in 2015.

He is available for the entire tournament, which runs from mid-December to January 26, and is reportedly set to earn around £260,000 ($351,000).

“I’m really excited to be joining the Adelaide Strikers. 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,” said Stokes, who played 122 Tests, 114 ODIs and 43 T20s for England.

“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.”