Victorian Premier Cricket: Blake Thomson makes history with fourth successive ton

Melbourne’s Blake Thomson has given an insight into his remarkable stretch of form that has yielded four consecutive centuries — and why he was on a tractor moments after his latest ton.

Blake Thomson has scored 188, 127, 123 and 157no in consecutive innings for Melbourne. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Moments after scoring 157 not out for Melbourne on Saturday, Blake Thomson was at the wheel of the curator’s tractor.

Covers needed to go on, work had to be done.

And Thomson was determined to do his bit.

“It’s a group effort, absolutely, I’m not exempt from that, ever,’’ Thomson, who worked at the Albert Ground for six months when he was 18, said.

It says a lot about the Demons captain, who has shown incredible focus and strength of mind to peel off four consecutive centuries in one of the all-time hottest stretches of form in Victorian Premier Cricket.

After starting the season with a pair — 0 and 0 — in a state second XI match, Thomson went back to what he knows best, hard work.

Melbourne’s Blake Thomson and Will Pucovski run between wickets. Picture: Andy Brownbill

His run of tons — 188, 127, 123 and 157no — puts him alongside Test man Jack Ryder (1924-25) and state player John Chambers (1959-60) as players to get four on the trot.

Hunter “Stork’’ Hendry holds the record with five (for Melbourne in 1925-26).

Not that Thomson is aware of those stats.

“Mate, to be honest with you, I have no idea,” he said.

“That sort of stuff is not really that important to me. It’s just about doing what I can for the team and just trying to get the win. I know a few of the boys around the club were mentioning some records and stuff on the weekend but I could not tell who’s done it…I have no idea with that sort of stuff. It’s something that’s not really important to me.”

Thomson says while his purple patch of form is “exciting”, he’s disappointed it hasn’t delivered a win for Melbourne, which hasn’t sung its song since last season’s grand final.

The Demons had to settle for a draw against Footscray on the weekend, despite putting up 4-366 declared. The Doggies replied with 3-318.

“Obviously it’s exciting but as a team we haven’t really got the points yet, and I feel like we’ve actually played some really really good cricket,’’ he said.

“I know that the wins will come and I know all the boys have full faith in it. I suppose for me personally it’s exciting but first and foremost I’d prefer to be winning that’s for sure.”

Thomson also revealed he broke the handle in his favourite bat while making a century against Carlton in Round 4.

“That bat had lasted me three years,’’ he said.

“So I was a little bit shattered when that broke, that’s for sure. But it’s fixed now so I’ll have a bat with it at training this week and hopefully it’s all good and I can get back to using that one.’’

Weight of runs usually earns selection to a higher level but Thomson is yet to get a call-up from Victorian selectors.

Many believe Blake Thomson deserves a spot in the Sheffield Shield side.

He played in a state seconds game last week but there’s been no communication from selectors.

“Obviously I payed that second XI game last week, said hello to the coaches and Huss (David Hussey, head of CV male cricket) was there for a day and I said hello to him and that’s about it.

“I’m assuming no news is good news and just keep doing what I’m doing I guess.’’