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Role model Ben Stokes is set to open the batting for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League, with club coach Tim Paine saying the former England skipper was made for the job. All-rounder Stokes, who signed for the T20 franchise on Tuesday, is usually a middle-order batsman but ex-Australia captain Paine has other ideas."I think he's made to open the batting in the Big Bash. The pacey, bouncy wickets in Australia really suit him," said the Strikers head coach. "I've been on the end of a couple of his devastating innings in Test cricket where you feel like you can't defend the field. He can play 360, he's got power."Should the 35-year-old do so he would partner Strikers captain Matt Short, another destructive big-hitter. "I love the combination. They're both really different. Both absolutely world class," said Paine.Stokes retired from the international game midway through England's recent Test series defeat against New Zealand but has continued playing county cricket for Durham. 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.Despite the controversy and Australian fans' love-hate relationship with Stokes, Paine is confident he will be warmly welcomed. "I know Australian cricket fans have loved beating England and love beating Ben Stokes," he said. "But they've absolutely always respected the way he plays the game, how competitive he is and how much he wants to win."I think Australian fans will really warm to his character and his personality. We expect he'll be a fantastic role model for our club and for our fans."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. 

England cricket legend Andrew Flintoff was named Tuesday as head coach of the Sydney Thunder, the Big Bash League team said, hailing it as their "most significant off-field acquisition in club history".The 48-year-old has signed a two-year deal for what will be his first overseas coaching role, following weeks of speculation.Former England captain Flintoff starred for his country across all three formats and was last year linked with taking over from Brendon McCullum as England's head coach.The charismatic former all-rounder has cut his teeth in coaching with the second-string England Lions, as well as the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.In 2022 the popular Flintoff was left with severe facial and rib injuries after a car crash while filming for the hit BBC television programme Top Gear.The Big Bash League is Australia's premier Twenty20 competition. 'CAN'T WAIT TO GET STARTED'"I can't wait to get over there and get started," he said in a statement released by the team."I'm looking at this with a lot of optimism. You look at the franchise, you look at the players, you look at the support, and I think there's something really big to build on."The Thunder squad is led by former Australia opener David Warner and also includes Sam Konstas, the 20-year-old once seen as Warner's successor at Test level.They finished bottom of the table last time out, and Flintoff replaces Trevor Bayliss, who departed the role in February after six seasons at the helm."I want our players to connect with the people that come and see us. I want them to enjoy playing cricket," said Flintoff, who had a stint in the BBL as a player over a decade ago."However, all that is underpinned by hard work... I want them to play with passion and leave everything out there on the field."I'm excited to come over, get involved and coach this team. I'm here to do the best job I possibly can for the team and everybody that comes out and supports us," he said. 

Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin could be the first high-profile Indian cricketer to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) after being approached by the Australian board, according to a media report Friday. Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg is in talks with the spinner, who ended his Indian Premier League (IPL) career last month, over a possible stint Down Under this season, according to www.cricbuzz.com“To get someone with Ashwin’s credentials to come over here for the BBL will be great at so many levels,” Greenberg told the website.“He’s a champion cricketer, who will bring a lot to the Big Bash and to our cricket summer.”Ashwin won two IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings before quitting the world’s richest T20 tournament last month, saying he would become an “explorer of the game around various leagues”. While several members of the Indian women’s team play in the BBL, the country’s board does not allow its contracted male players to play in overseas leagues. Ashwin, who turns 39 this month, was India’s frontline Test spinner before he quit international cricket last year.