Closing in

The 18-year-old is fresh from a week-long Cricket Australia camp, where he was one of 19 youngsters to be tested under the watchful eye of state and national talent managers.

Thomson was one of five Victorians at the inaugural PRO Camp, which was held at the Bupa National Cricket Centre in Brisbane.

With Cricket Australia’s new contract rules requiring six rookie placements on each state list – including two that must be new additions – Thomson is certain to come under strong consideration for a place in the squad for season 2016-17.

A former St Patrick’s College student and junior with East Ballarat, Thomson now plays with Victorian Premier Cricket club Melbourne.

He enjoyed a standout under-19 national championships in Adelaide, where he blasted two centuries for Victoria Country and finished as one of the carnival’s leading run-getters as a bottom-age player.

Jarrad Loughman, Cricket Victoria’s High Performance Academy head coach, told The Courier Thomson is in the mix for a place on the Victorian roster.

“He's certainly one of our better prospects amongst the emerging player group currently,” Loughman, who has worked closely with Thomson for the past couple of seasons, said.

“That’s in an all-round sense in terms of what he offers as a batter, competitor and a person.

“He’s very talented in terms of his skills with the bat, but is also an outstanding fielder.”

Loughman said the mental side of Thomson’s game is another strength, believing the right-hand batsman possesses a strong desire to win and perform.

Loughman expects the Bushrangers to release their new list by late April.

If successful in gaining a rookie contract, Thomson would follow in the footsteps of fellow Ballarat export Matt Short, who is looking to be promoted to the full squad for next season.