An Invitation South Canterbury cricket side will take on their Otago equivalent for the Mark Parker Memorial Trophy on Sunday 22nd February.

It is only the second time the trophy has been up for grabs.

In 2003 it was played for between Christchurch Suburban, South Canterbury, Wellington’s Onslow Cricket Club and Dunedin Metropolitan, with the southern side taking the honours.

The 50-over match will appropriately be played at the Timaru Boys’ High School Rectory, starting at 11.00am.

Parker was killed in the Bali bombings in 2002 and a trust was subsequently set up in the 27-year-old’s honour.

Each year the Mark Parker Memorial Trust, among other things, has sent a Timaru Boys’ High School First XI cricketer to Winchester College in England for a season.

The South Canterbury invitation side will feature three of those who have been recipients of the scholarship, including Jeremy Lane, Alex McKenzie and Bill Walsh.

This year’s beneficiary, Tom Walsh is also in the team, as is Tom Bouch from Winchester College.

They will be joined by the experienced Todd Elliotte, Ryan de Joux, Grant Brookland, Kevin Teahen, Liam Crowley, Struan George and Craig Hinton.

South Canterbury Cricket spokesman Richard Davidson said they were delighted to again get the opportunity to play for the trophy. 

“It’s something special and the boys are aware of the significance it has, so are keen to win it for the first time,” Davidson said.