Star trains with State’s best

Broome starlet Ben McInnes had the unique opportunity of training alongside some of the State’s top cricketers recently and received invaluable advice and backing from prominent former Australian players.

The 19-year-old’s progression in the game is made all the more remarkable given that four years ago he was told by doctors that he would never play sport again due to a rare health condition.

TheBroome Advertiser reported earlier this year that Mr McInnes had overcome the debilitating side effects of juvenile idiopathic arthritis thanks to a revolutionary rheumatologist and represented Broome at the prestigious country week competition in January.

The Broome man had cysts in-between his joints and there was a risk that his bones could fracture, resulting in him being forced to use a mobility scooter at 15 years of age for two years.

While visiting Perth last month to see specialist Kevin Murray, the gifted bowler made the most of being in the State capital and had a memorable cricket experience.

Mr McInnes was invited to train with State team Western Warriors at the WACA, while he was given invaluable advice by Australian cricket icons Geoff Marsh and Tom Hogan.

The Broome man had the chance to see how elite players train by witnessing a State-level strength and conditioning session also.

Mr McInnes had the chance to train at Western Suburbs Cricket Club’s top-notch facilities in Nedlands, while he also completed his level 1 coaching certificate.

Former Australia international Hogan told theBroome Advertiser that Mr McInnes had a bright future in the sport.

“I enjoyed my coaching session with Ben; it was a pleasure to coach someone that has worked really hard to overcome some difficult hurdles,” he said.

“We used the session to try and fine tune some areas of his bowling technique and discuss field placements for his type of bowling.

“He is very enthusiastic person and is keen to learn and improve his bowling skills. I have also provided him with some videos of his bowling and listed some coaching notes he can continue to work with.”

Mr McInnes had also started the process to potentially be involved in a prestigious cricket scholarship in England for six months.

The Broome cricketer has applied for inclusion in the Lord’s Taverners initiative, with an eligibility interview in the near future.

Finally, Mr McInnes has started a new job at Divers Tavern, who have given the rising star the flexibility to take time off should his burgeoning cricket career continue to flourish.

“Ben is an aspiring cricketer and we knew he had a bright future in the game when we took him on,” Divers Tavern financial controller Robin Strauss said.

“We are happy to support Ben’s sporting endeavours and it is great that he is working in the bottle shop with a group of other local cricket-mad employees.”