The 16-year-old received a surprise call-up for the match against Dandenong on Friday morning after one of Melbourne’s senior players sustained an injury during the week.

The offer caught Thomson by surprise, despite his 110 for Melbourne’s seconds against Hawthorn-Monash University in the Victorian Premier Cricket league in the prior round.

“I was pretty shocked. I wasn’t really expecting it,” he said

“Last week was good but I’ve still spent the week expecting to play seconds again.

“I’m very nervous, considering that I could be facing James Pattinson.”

Thomson started playing with Melbourne’s seconds last season after a promising career with East Ballarat.

He spent three years in the Central Highlands under-14 squad, captained the under-16 team as a bottom-ager and made the final Victorian under-17 outfit last year.

Despite the nerves, Thomson believes he is ready to compete at the top level of Victoria’s premier division.

“I’m going to keep doing exactly what I’ve been doing, which is rotating the strike as much as possible and hopefully not go out,” he aid.

“I felt that I had been hitting the ball really well lately.”

Central Higlands regional cricket manager Campbell Waring has described Thomson’s talent and progress as “right up there” with the best juniors in Ballarat and the surrounding districts.

“He’s become a really prominent player in our region,” Waring said.

“He’s also an excellent fielder, and he might have the potential to do what Matt Short has done.”