October 17 Thursday 2002
Bali bomb claims life of NZ cricketer

WELLINGTON: Former Otago batsman Mark Parker has been named as New Zealand's first confirmed victim of the Bali bombing atrocity that killed nearly 200 people over the weekend.

Parker, who was holidaying on Indonesian island while returning from a highly-successful summer playing for St Cross Symondians in Southern Electric Premier Cricket League, was in Kuta district of Bali when the bomb exploded. The news of the death of 27-year-old son of New Zealand Test player Murray Parker and nephew of great John Parker, another Black Cap, has been taken particularly hard at his club, Onslow CC and in Hampshire, where he led his adopted team to promotion from SPCL Division Three last season with 757 runs at an average of 84.11, the best in any of three divisions.

It is believed he lost his legs in the blast, according to Christchurch-based Daniel Whiston, who told New Zealand television station TV3 that "he tried to stop the bleeding and was conscious and talking before he died."

A close friend of All Black rugby captain Anton Oliver, he also led New Zealand under-20 side that included current Black Cap international Jacob Oram and Joseph Yovich before playing three times for Otago in Shell Trophy of 1996-97 alongside former England star Matthew Maynard and Kiwi off-spinner Paul Wiseman.

John Morrison, ICC international panel match referee and a friend of family, spoke of his disbelief while Gavin Larsen, ex-New Zealand medium-pace bowler, said Parker was "mega-talented and wanted to give first-class cricket another go with Wellington. He was great timer of the ball and should have played more first-class cricket."