Vale Brian Booth: Former cricket great mourned

Former Australia Test cricket captain, and 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games representative Brian Booth has passed away aged 89.

Australian sport has lost one of its most respected gentlemen with the death of former Test cricket captain and Olympic hockey player Brian Booth.

Multi-talented, Booth was selected in the Australian hockey squad for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics then returned to cricket and played 29 Tests between 1961 and 1966, including two as skipper.

A revered figure who was regarded as the epitome of sportsmanship and fair play, Booth passed away at a Sydney hospital on Friday at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife Judy and four daughters.

An Anglican lay-preacher who sometimes missed major matches because of his Christian faith, news of his passing brought a flood of tributes from the cricket world.

“He was my first Test captain and one of the nicest people I have ever met,’’ Test great Doug Walters said.

“And he was a very underrated player. He would have played a lot more Tests had he always been available on Sundays.’’

Brian Booth played 29 Tests for Australia.

Former test captain Bill Lawry said: “Brian was a one off … if you had a son and he was a Brian Booth you would be thrilled.

“I am really saddened by this. He was one of nature’s gentlemen. Graham McKenzie and I used to go to him for advice and he always said something that seemed to help you.

“The only time I have ever seen him a bit upset was when he was dropped after playing 29 Tests and the provident fund which helped players financially kicked in after 30 tests. That probably said a lot about the Australian Cricket Board in those days.”

“He was always worried about playing cricket on a Sunday but eventually decided it would be better off for everyone if he did.”

It is with deep sadness that Cricket NSW share the news of the passing of former NSW and Australian captain Brian Booth MBE, at the age of 89.

Our thoughts are with Brian's family and friends ❤️https://t.co/ecNjN8Eu03

— Cricket NSW (@CricketNSW) May 20, 2023

A serene middle order batter, Booth’s career yielded 1773 runs, including five centuries, at an average of 42.21 and a high score of 169.

Promoted to vice-captain when Richie Benaud retired in 1964, he was elevated to the top job for the first and third Tests of the 1965-66 Ashes series when regular skipper Bill Simpson broke his wrist then contracted chickenpox.

Australian batsman Doug Walters (r) made 119 not out in his Test debut in 1965. Australian Test captain Brian Booth gives Walters a pat on the back and a handshake after he had returned to the pavilion.

When Australia lost the third Test by an innings, the selectors wielded the axe, with Booth dropped from the team altogether.

He never played for Australia again, cruelly missing out on a retirement bonus that he would have been eligible for if he had made just one more Test appearance.

In a break from convention, Booth later received a personalised letter from Don Bradman, who was on the selection panel at the time, thanking him for everything he had done for the game.

“Sir Donald wrote him a letter saying it pains the selection committee to have to drop him but his form just hadn’t been up to scratch,” Booth’s son-in-law Jim Dayhew said.

“Bradman went on to say that he’d never done this for another player before but was making an exception in this case because he wanted to honour his great sportsmanship and how he carried himself and performed for Australia.”

Kindred spirits, Booth and Bradman remained in regular correspondence until Sir Don’s passing in 2001.

Words can’t really describe what Mr. Booth meant to me, and I’m sure so many others!

All the way back to our home town in Bathurst, his mentorship at @stgeorgedcc, presenting my @CricketNSWMen Baggy Blue & just genuinely being one of the nicest humans ❤️https://t.co/Q4yGyM88Wv

— Trent Copeland (@copes9) May 20, 2023

Brian Booth was the finest cricketer I ever met. An honest, decent, caring person who captained his country in cricket and also played for Australia in hockey, he embodied everything special and important about the game. Australian sport is so much poorer for his passing. #RIP

— Geoff Armstrong (@garmstrong61) May 20, 2023

Born and raised in a small village on the outskirts of Bathurst, Booth was an exceptional all-round athlete during one of the golden eras of Australian sport.

Regarded as one of the most elegant batters Australia has produced, he transferred the skills he honed in hockey and tennis to cricket.

In paying tribute, former Test spinner Kerry O’Keefe likened him to one of the world’s most celebrated magicians, tweeting: “ … quicker hands than David Copperfield … a truly great human … genuine strong claims to captain Aust “best blokes” test eleven.”

Booth also represented NSW in the Sheffield Shield on 93 occasions, scoring 5574 runs at 43.5 and had lifelong association with the St George club, where he was a player, president and club patron until his passing.

He was also elected a Life Member of the MCC and in 1982 received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II.

“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,” Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said.

“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.”