The 16-year-old, who will play in this weekend's first grade final against North Nowra-Cambewarra, dominated the All Schools carnival with his Combined High Schools Two side at Maitland - taking 3-20 from his eight overs against NSW Combined Independent Schools.

"This is personally is my biggest achievement - it's a massive honour to be named in the NSW all schools merit side," Jones, who has also represented the Sydney Thunder Indigenous side on numerous occasions, said.

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But this selection might never have been if the Shoalhaven High School student hadn't got the late call-up.

"After our first zone trial at Hayden Drexel Oval, six of us were invited up to Raby Oval in Campbelltown for a two-day carnival," he said.

"Following this, they selected a CHS One and Two side and I wasn't named in either - rather being the shadow player.

"I was told there if someone pulled out because of injury, I'd get called in and a week before the All Schools carnival, I got the call.

"After starting as a shadow player for CHS to then being named in the All Schools merit team, along with the other top 11 players in the state, is very special to me and a credit to all the hard work I've put in recently."

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Making the achievement more incredible is the fact Jones is only in year 11 and is eligible to be selected again in 2022.

"Now I've got the taste of being selected and know what is needed to play at this level, I'm determined to make it again next year - especially if we can play matches against the other states," the Worrigee product said.

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