Thorn Parkes

Thorn Parkes is a high-quality Batsman from New Zealand originally from Poverty Bay, that has been on the representative cricket scene for most of his cricketing life. A classy left-handed middle order batsman, Thorn is also an occasional Right-arm Leg Spinner. A star for Kings College, Auckland, he represented Poverty Bay Senior men at just 14 years old.

He represented and starred for his native Northern Districts at both U17 & U19 level, finishing the 2018-19 U19 Championships as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 379 runs @ 75.80. With a couple of seasons railroaded by COVID, he played a handful of games for Northland and Northern Districts A before taking an opportunity to link with Otago in summer 2021-22.

Following a rich vein of form with the Otago A side, including 354 runs @ 50.57 to start the summer, Thorn was awarded a Plunkett Shield debut in February 2022 against Auckland. The following summer, in his first full season, Thorn struck 529 runs @ 37.78 with five half-centuries and a maiden ton coming against Central Districts in the final game of the season.

Having gone on to be a regular feature for the Volts across 4-day and 1-Day cricket, Thorn has shown he can bat anywhere in the top or middle order and be a contributor. He sought a first season abroad in 2023, joining Three Bridges CC in the Sussex Premier Division, scoring 548 runs @ 34.25.

He returned in 2026, joining Potters Bar CC in the ECB Herts Premier Division, scoring 882 runs @ 40 and was swiftly re-signed by the club

Keen on a return to the UK, Thorn will be an excellent pick up for any UK club seeking a high-class left-hander that can bat anywhere n the top 4. Thorn is a New Zealand Cricket Level 1 coach (ECB Level 2 equivalent).