Harlequins left with plenty to ponder after difficult campaign

Cork Harlequins endured a tough 2026 season in the First Team League, finishing bottom of the six-team competition after struggling to find the consistency required to climb away from the foot of the table.

There were occasional encouraging performances, but too often they came in isolation rather than as part of a sustained team effort.

Dineth Sumanasinghe was the leading run-scorer with 289 runs at an average of 36.13. His unbeaten 102 was the only century scored by a Harlequins batter during the campaign and provided one of the brighter moments of an otherwise frustrating season.

Adam Hickey contributed 281 runs, while Seanan Jones made 232, including an unbeaten 86. Umer Khan added 203 runs and supplied some much-needed aggression, hitting 18 sixes, comfortably the highest tally in the side.

However, the batting lacked the weight of runs needed to apply consistent pressure. Only four players passed 200 for the season and there was a considerable drop-off further down the order.

The bowling faced similar difficulties. Jones carried a substantial workload and finished as the leading wicket-taker with 18 at 29.67. Matt Brewster and Khan each claimed nine wickets, while Jiju Kalathera was economical, conceding just 3.98 an over across his 50 overs.

Beyond that, wickets were difficult to come by regularly. No bowler other than Jones reached double figures, leaving Harlequins short of the penetration needed to dismiss opponents cheaply or defend modest totals.

Brewster showed promise with nine wickets at 25.33 in limited appearances, while Vikranth Masina also produced useful returns when called upon.

Ultimately, bottom place was a reflection of a side that never quite managed to put enough strong performances together.

There is talent within the squad, but Harlequins will need greater consistency from their established players and more depth in both departments if they are to improve significantly in 2027.

CORK HARLEQUINS – TOP 10 BATTERS

1. Dineth Sumanasinghe – 289 runs, average 36.13, HS 102*, 1 hundred, 1 fifty  
2. Adam Hickey – 281 runs, average 25.55, HS 41  
3. Seanan Jones – 232 runs, average 21.09, HS 86*, 1 fifty  
4. Umer Khan – 203 runs, average 22.56, HS 59, 1 fifty  
5. Callum Stevenson – 180 runs, average 15.00, HS 37  
6. Matt Brewster – 88 runs, average 29.33, HS 65, 1 fifty  
7. Vikranth Masina – 77 runs, average 12.83, HS 40  
8. Shivam Kislay – 72 runs, average 18.00, HS 34  
9. Ryan Joyce – 71 runs, average 35.50, HS 71, 1 fifty  
10. Jithin John – 61 runs, average 30.50, HS 54, 1 fifty  

CORK HARLEQUINS – TOP 10 BOWLERS

1. Seanan Jones – 18 wickets, average 29.67, BBI 4-46  
2. Matt Brewster – 9 wickets, average 25.33, BBI 3-33  
3. Umer Khan – 9 wickets, average 34.44, BBI 3-59  
4. Jiju Kalathera – 6 wickets, average 33.17, BBI 3-35  
5. Seneth Sumanasinghe – 6 wickets, average 37.50, BBI 2-39  
6. Adam Hickey – 6 wickets, average 40.50, BBI 2-10  
7. Vikranth Masina – 3 wickets, average 18.67, BBI 2-19  
8. Ibrahim Ahsan – 3 wickets, average 29.67, BBI 3-21  
9. Preston Searra – 2 wickets, average 37.00, BBI 2-31  
10. Zeeshan Ullah – 1 wicket, average 34.00, BBI 1-34