CRICKET: Big-hitter Bradley Parker breezed to an entertaining century as hosts Northumberland cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Suffolk at Jesmond yesterday.

CRICKET

BIG-hitter Bradley Parker breezed to an entertaining century as hosts Northumberland cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Suffolk at Jesmond yesterday.

It was level pegging during the first two days of this Minor Counties Championship match, but Suffolk had no answer to the pugnacious Parker or stubborn opener Adam Heather, who shared an unbeaten stand of 179 for the third wicket.

The visitors started the day on 207 for nine, with skipper Phil Caley on 82, but just 10 runs were added before James East was trapped leg before by Crozier. Caley was left stranded on 87.

This left Northumberland requiring 201 off 96 overs and, despite a sticky start, they achieved their goal by 3.15pm with 32.4 overs to spare.

The hosts were wobbling at 22 for two after Trevor Smith and Kevin Shaw snapped up a wicket apiece, but that was the extent of Suffolk's joy.

Mark Jones dropped Parker in the slips, off the bowling of James East, when the Northumberland danger-man was on just 15 and the score at 52 for two. It proved a costly miss.

The circumspect Heather took 156 balls to reach his half-century, and was 62 not out at the end. He was prepared to let Parker do the bulk of the scoring.

Former Yorkshire batsman Parker, who scored a majestic 46 in the first innings, faced 79 deliveries for his first 50, and then stepped up a gear in dramatic fashion.

Suffolk all-rounder Shaw suffered the ignominy of being struck for six consecutive fours in one over as Parker took his score from 81 to 105 in just six balls.

In all, Parker helped himself to 25 boundaries, cutting and pulling to great effect all around the ground. He faced 138 balls.

Suffolk had impressed in their first innings, thanks to Russell Catley's excellent 96, but the failure of their top order to build on this platform in the second innings was a deciding factor.

Minor Counties Championship

At Challow and Childrey: Berkshire 385 & 157 (JC Morris 50). Oxfordshire 378-9 & 165-4 (BJ Thompson 68no). Oxfordshire (24) bt Berkshire (8) by 6 wkts.

At Shrewsbury: Shropshire 267 & 234-7dec. Wiltshire 110 & 238 (RJ Roe 96, RJ Bates 60; TJ Mason 7-68). Shropshire (22) bt Wiltshire (4) by 153 runs.

At Hertford: Norfolk 451-7 & 200-5dec (C Borrett 77no). Hertfordshire 352-7dec & 171 (C Brown 5-49). Norfolk (23) bt Hertfordshire (7) by 128 runs.