Thomson, who grew up playing with the Hawks before embarking on a career at a higher level, has committed to starting the Ballarat Cricket Association season with East.

He will play here in Ballarat before potentially returning to Melbourne in the Victorian Premier Cricket competition, where he has played since 2013-14.

"It's just while coronavirus has slowed everything down in Melbourne, so I'm just going to be playing back here until Melbourne cricket starts back up and I'm allowed to go back down there," Thomson said.

Thomson will join his older brother Darcy at East Ballarat in 2020-21 after he made the move from Mt Clear at the end of last season.

"I am very excited actually," Thomson said.

"I haven't played on the new turf wicket at Russell Square - all my senior cricket was at East High. It will be good to go and play out there. It will be different and a good experience I reckon."

Thomson, 22, played three one-day games for the Victorian Bushrangers before losing his state level contract in 2018.

He heads back to East Ballarat on the back of a great 2019-20 campaign with Melbourne in the first grade ranks. The top-order bat compiled 719 runs at an average close to 60 to be named in the Victorian Premier Cricket team of the season.

The season looks like it will be a bright one for the Hawks with former Ballarat-Redan quick Chris Edwards and ex-Buninyong all-rounder Harli Givvens among the other potential first grade recruits.

East Ballarat won the BCA first grade flag in 2018-19 and was then beaten by Darley in the semi-final last season.

The BCA has gathered feedback from clubs regarding what the 2020-21 season might look like and should confirm a definite start date and schedule by the end of this week.

The recent easing of COVID-19 restrictions in regional Victoria has meant the BCA can plan for an upcoming season, which is likely to commence on October 17. Whether or not play will take place on AFL grand final day (October 24) remains unclear.

On Friday, Cricket Victoria released updated return to training and return to play guidelines. These include advice around gathering limits at practice and what can and can't take place in matches.

As it stands, no spectators will be allowed at senior grade games and players are banned from shining the ball with saliva or sweat.

For the full document, visit cricketvictoria.com.au/cricket-victoria-releases-covid-safe-plan-for-clubs/