ALTHOUGH he now goes to boarding school in Ballarat, the Mildura Settlers Cricket Club still holds a special place in Monty Maloney’s heart.
The 17-year-old started attending Ballarat Grammar last year, and has just been selected to play for Victoria Country at the Under-17 National Championships.
The right-handed batsman said he was grateful to be a part of the 14-player squad.
“It’s just a great opportunity to represent the Setts and the area at a tournament where I can showcase my talent and play with really good quality cricketers,” he said.
“I played all my junior cricket at Mildura Settlers, played for Sunraysia and then played for Mallee-Murray region, had a few games there and got selected to try out.”
Maloney said he’d been fortunate to learn about the game from his father Julian as well as other family members who had inked their name in folklore at Settlers.
“Grandpa, dad and my uncle all played first division cricket there,” he said.
“Even though we have some differences to our game, I definitely learnt most of my stuff from the old man.
“I’m more attacking than he was, but I’m not an opening batsman, whereas he was.”
Maloney described himself as an aggressive player that likes to play on the off side.
“I’m a mix, I’m not the biggest hitter but I play aggressively, I like to take the game on and put the bowlers on the back foot,” he said.
Maloney said he had high hopes for the team and said that he’d already formed a strong connection with four of the players who he attended school with.
“Our captain, Oliver Peake is one of the most talented cricketers I’ve ever seen, we should challenge a few teams which will be nice,” he said.
“Obviously the academics are great and the connections you make are what makes boarding school special … I’ve been loving it, it’s been a nice challenge and it’s even more special when I come home and play cricket for the Settlers.”
The week long tournament will be held in Ballarat between January 4 and 11.
Games will be played every day in a one-day (50 over) format.
