“He [Stokes] gives us a lot of flexibility,” Paine told reporters. “I think initially my chats around how we would use him would probably be opening the batting. I think he’s made to open the batting in Big Bash. I think the pacy, bouncy wickets in Australia really suit him.
“I’ve been on the end of a couple of these devastating innings in Test cricket where you feel like you can’t defend the field. He can play 360 [degrees]. He’s got power. He’s got some real class.”
“I think he can do a terrific job opening the batting,” Paine said. “Playing pretty normally, as we’ve seen in the past, he can flick a switch and he’s got amazing power. His skill level with the bat and his play of spin, he’s just a well-rounded, world-class batter. We think that’s probably the best fit for him and for us.
“Then with the ball, we think he can surprise people. I’ve played against him. He’s a bit quicker than people think. He’s got great skill. He can swing the ball both ways. We feel like we can use him in all phases of the game with the ball as well. He’ll impact in the field with his athleticism and just the way he competes.”
Stokes’ arrival will also provide a wider boost for the BBL at a time when the future structure of the competition remains uncertain amid the priviatisation debate
“He’s someone that’s always drawn a lot of attention because of his personality and the way he plays the game,” Paine said. “I think we’ve seen in the last 24 hours just how much light he’s shone on the Big Bash just with his announcement. I’m sure that will only magnify when he lands in Adelaide and when he starts playing well and scoring runs and taking wickets.
“We’ve been going about a list strategy for the last two years and then find out two weeks ago that you don’t have to sign overseas players and you can just do whatever you like”
Tim Paine on the delay in reaching the agreement on the new structure
“There’s some intangible stuff with Stokesy as well, I think, around his leadership, his presence and commercially and fan engagement. So there’s not that many players I wouldn’t have thought out in the world that tick all of those boxes and are still at a really high level as a cricketer. So, yeah, we made that decision pretty quickly and pursued him quite aggressively.”
Stokes is one of the early players to join through the direct signings model which has replaced the draft and Paine confirmed Strikers would bring in two more overseas names. While he supports the new structure and the freedom it gave to build lists, Paine expressed frustration at the time it took to reach the agreement and the chance for clubs not to sign overseas players.
“I’m sure I speak for many people who are really frustrated with the time it’s taken to be given these rules and then to have rules completely changed,” he said. “We’ve been going about a list strategy for the last two years and then find out two weeks ago that you don’t have to sign overseas players and you can just do whatever you like.
“That’s frustrating. Hopefully now that it’s been decided, things are locked in and we get some consistent rules over the next few years.”
