Lisburn left wondering what might have been despite T20 success

Lisburn can look back on 2026 as a season of both achievement and frustration, with a fourth-place Premiership finish accompanied by T20 Cup silverware but also the nagging feeling that considerably more was within their grasp.

The Wallace Park side were good enough to challenge the leading teams, yet international commitments and availability issues repeatedly prevented them from fielding their strongest XI.

Mark Adair was the clearest example. One of the most influential cricketers in Irish cricket featured in just five matches for Lisburn all season, underlining how difficult it was for them to build continuity. Even so, there was plenty to admire.

Skipper Neil Whitworth enjoyed a superb all-round campaign, leading the batting aggregates with 807 runs at 42.47, including an unbeaten 109, while also topping the bowling with 40 wickets.

Ben Calitz was simply devastating when available, scoring 638 runs from only 10 matches at an extraordinary average of 106.33 and strike rate of 175.27. His season included three centuries and 58 sixes. Fellow international Ross Adair was similarly explosive, making 574 runs at 47.83 while striking at 190.70. Nigel Jones added 538 runs, while David Miller contributed 488.

The bowling attack also had plenty of depth. Behind Whitworth, Jon Hinrichsen claimed 36 wickets, including six for 34, while teenager Ben Walsh enjoyed a breakthrough campaign following his switch from Instonians, as he took 33, while Ethan Wilson managed 28. Callum Atkinson completed a strong leading group with 20 wickets.

Silverware arrived in the T20 Cup, providing tangible reward for a talented squad.

Yet Lisburn will surely reflect on the All-Ireland T20 competition with regret. They appeared well placed to add another trophy before a late batting collapse against Pembroke saw the opportunity disappear. That defeat perhaps summed up their season — close, competitive and capable, but just short when the margins became smallest.

Fourth place in the Premiership represented a respectable return, although expectations at Wallace Park are understandably higher. With better availability, Lisburn would undoubtedly have been a more formidable proposition. The challenge now is to add further strength and depth over the winter so that international absences are less damaging. There seems little doubt recruitment work will already be under way.

Lisburn remain one of the stronger sides in the NCU, and with some astute additions they should again expect to challenge on several fronts in 2027.

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