Young cricketer's death shocks Timaru

11.45am

Timaru was in shock today following the death in the Bali bomb blast of one of their promising cricketers.

Mark Parker is the first confirmed New Zealand fatality from the Bali bombings.

Another New Zealand man died in the attacks and his name is expected to be released today after his family identifies his remains.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it holds "grave fears" for two other New Zealanders believed to have been near the Sari nightclub when two bombs exploded Saturday night (Sunday morning NZT).

Mr Parker, 27, carried the same middle name as his uncle, former test cricketer John Morton Parker.

His father, Murray Parker, also played test cricket for New Zealand in the 1970s.

Timaru was stunned to learn Mr Parker was among the Bali victims, South Canterbury Cricket Association chairman Harvey King said today.

"Mark played for the Timaru Boys' High School first 11 as a top order right-hand batsman," Mr King said.

"He played for South Canterbury and also Otago (in 1997) before he moved to Wellington where he was playing for the Onslow club.

"This is just awful. The community is in shock. It's terrible. We just really feel for the family."

Mr King said the Parker family was well known in Timaru. Mr Parker's mother Verna worked for Sport South Canterbury and his father was a Timaru Boys' High School teacher who used to coach the first 11.

A funeral is expected to be held in Timaru.

Mr Parker was a close friend of All Blacks Anton Oliver and Simon Maling.

Oliver said today through an Otago rugby spokeswoman that he felt it was the right protocol for the Parker family to talk first and only when they were ready before paying tribute to his friend.

Former New Zealand cricketer Gavin Larsen said today he had received a call from South Canterbury cricket officials about the news.

"I got a call from Mark in 1997. He said he wanted some advice where to play in Wellington. We brought him up into Onslow and offered him a role at the club.

"Mark was a fantastic guy. He was the consummate team man. He threw himself into the club, was always at practice and was such a likeable guy."

Mr Parker had been working and playing cricket in England in recent years and contacted Onslow a few months ago to see if he could return to the club.

"He wanted to give first-class cricket one more go and play for Wellington. He was mega-talented," Larsen said.

"He was a great timer of the ball. He should have played more first class cricket. He was a quality striker and I remember bowling to him in the nets. He was tall and played on the front foot.

"I am just so stunned I don't know what to say. I feel for the family. It's just so tragic.

"He was heading back here and was stopping over in Bali for a quick break. He was out enjoying himself before getting back into cricket here."

Mr Parker was named captain of the New Zealand under-20 tournament team in 1996 in a side which included Central Districts and New Zealand allrounder Jacob Oram and Northern Districts fast bowler Joseph Yovich.

- NZPA

Bali messages and latest information on New Zealanders
New Zealand travellers in Bali, and their families around the world, can exchange news via our Bali Messages page. The page also contains lists of New Zealanders in Bali and their condition.

Foreign Affairs advice to New Zealanders

* Travellers should defer travel to Bali

* NZers in Bali should keep a low profile and remain calm

* Foreign Affairs Hotline: 0800 432 111

Feature: Bali bomb blast

Related links