Former Australian Test captain Brian Booth has passed away, aged 89.
Booth represented Australia on 29 occasions, including twice as captain during the 1965/66 Ashes, and was known as a stylish middle order batter.
He scored 1773 Test runs at an average of 42.21, with five centuries, and would conclude his career with 11265 first-class runs.
He was given Life Membership of his native New South Wales, for whom he played 93 Sheffield Shield matches for, and inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame in 2014.
Booth was passionate about grade cricket, and was well-known around the St George District Cricket Club in Sydney’s south, where he holds the club record for centuries with 23.
The pavilion at St George’s first-grade home ground, Hurstville Oval, is named the Booth Saunders Pavilion in honour of him and fellow club legend Warren Saunders.
Booth was known as a gentle spirit and a man of robust faith who prided himself on his sportsmanship.
He had a reputation for walking when he knew he was out, and with cricket journalist Ray Robinson describing him as the fairest of Australia’s post-war cricketers.
“If a prize were offered for fairplaymanship among Australia’s post-war cricketers Brian Booth ought to win it hands down,” Robinson wrote.
Commentator and former Test captain Bill Lawry also regarded Booth as one of Australian cricket’s foremost gentlemen.
Booth was a committed Anglican, and invoked his faith in his cricket often.
He co-authored the book “Cricket and Christianity”, and once famously was asked after his maiden Test century whether he felt God was with him.
After replying in the affirmative, newspapers run the headline “God is on Brian Booth’s side”.
Booth was not just an accomplished cricketer, but also represented Australia at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne in field hockey, and stood for the federal division of St George at the 1974 election for the Liberal Party.
On his passing, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said that Booth was deeply admired.
“Brian was immensely respected and admired throughout the cricketing community and beyond and we extend our deepest condolences to his wife Judy and their family and friends,” Hockley said.
“Less than 50 players have captained the Australian men’s Test team and Brian’s name is included on a list that features many of the game’s greats.
“He has had an extraordinary life and will be sadly missed. His contribution to cricket continues to be an inspiration and will always be remembered.”
Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon said his respectful and courteous manner would endure in people’s memories of him.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Brian Booth and our sincerest condolences go to his wife Judy, his daughters and his friends,” Germon said.
“Brian’s record on the playing field and as a leader are well documented and the fact he was able to captain Australia and NSW in cricket, as well as play hockey for Australia at a home Olympics, shows just how special he was as an athlete.
“But that is just a part of who Brian was and it was his respectful, courteous and friendly manner off the field that will endure in the memories of all that he came into contact with.”
A statement released by St George District Cricket Club said “a deep pall of sadness has been cast across St George DCC with the news that our Patron, Brian Booth MBE, has passed away.”
“Perhaps the most important thing that can be said about Brian Booth was that everyone who met him, liked him, basically because he was always respectful, courteous and interested in the person with whom he was conversing,” the statement said.
“On this sad day we console ourselves with the knowledge that we had the privilege of knowing this wonderful man and we celebrate his life of service.”
Booth is survived by his wife Judy and four daughters.
