Montague in the runs this summer

Caleb Montague scoring runs in familiar fashion this summer.

Caleb Montague can’t stop scoring runs.

The St Patrick’s College Silverstream opener smashed a century in the College Sport Wellington Twenty20 competition against Onslow College this week after making 145 not out against Scots College on Saturday.

Montague is the leading run-maker in the Premier Youth Grade having amassed 492 runs at an average of 98.40.

Montague attributes much of his success to his parents and long-time coach Neeraj Chawla.

“Neeraj has been coaching me for three years. He has helped me develop my game by spending so much time with me. My parents got me in to cricket in the first place and have always been supportive,” Montague acclaims.

Montague started playing cricket when he was five and briefly dabbled in football, rugby and basketball. He has decided to make cricket his solitary focus after a ground breaking National Under-17 tournament for Wellington.

Montague scored 359 runs at 59.50, including his highest score of 166 against Northern Districts.

“The Under-17’s was a great experience, playing at good grounds against strong opposition,” he says.

“The 17’s taught me a lot about how to approach my game and prepare better.”

Silverstream are presently second in the Premier Youth Grade having lost to National Champions Wellington College in their top of the table clash this season by three runs.

Silverstream missed the Nationals last year at the expense of Wellington College. What do Silverstream have to do to tame the Wellington beast?

“We have to do the little things better such as reducing our extras, improving our catching and fielding and not playing silly shots,” Montague observed.

“Wellington are a strong all around team, but there isn’t a lot between us.”

Montague has shown an aptitude to score rapidly, but has also exhibited patience in 2019. In the two day traditional against St Pats Town he scored a pair of centuries. Montague models his game on Black Cap Martin Guptill.

“Martin has been my favourite player since his international debut. I like the way he bats. He’s aggressive and strikes the ball hard and straight.”

Montague is a handy bowler as well and has best figures of 7-57.

“I consider myself a batting all-rounder. I struggle for consistency with the ball, but if I fail with the bat its nice to know I can contribute with the ball.”

Montague will be looking to contribute both when Silverstream tackles Wellington College in the Premier Youth Final on April 1 at the Basin Reserve. The winner will head to the Nationals in December.
 
Montague 2019
 
Premier Youth Grade
Onslow College – 11
St Pats Wellington – 119
Hutt Valley High School – 46
Wellington College 2nd XI – 80
Wellington College First XI – 49
Hutt International Boys’ School – 42
Scots College – 145*
 
Traditionals
Palmerston North Boys’ High School – 73
St Bede’s College – 8, 30
St Pats Wellington – 102, 120*
 
Wellington Under-17’s
Otago – 28
Canterbury -74
Northern Districts – 166
Auckland – 21
Central Districts -24
Northern Districts – 44