Former Australian Test Cricket captain dead at 89

Former CEO of Australian British Chamber of Commerce David McCredie says the Australian cricket team appears to be “performing pretty well” as they gear up for the Ashes in a few weeks’ time.

The Bathurst batsman was a stalwart for St George District Cricket Club, still holding the club record for centuries with 23 while he also became a legend for his state and country.

Booth represented New South Wales for 15 seasons from 1954-55 to 1968-69, gaining promotion to the Test team in 1961 as he made his debut against England.

He was handed temporary captaincy of the Test side during the 1965-66 Ashes series, leading the side in two games.

Throughout his Test career he played 29 matches, scoring 1773 runs at an average of 42.21.

Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon said Booth’s attitude through his career and life was respectful and courteous.

“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.”

Recently retired fast bowler Trent Copeland who represented both New South Wales and the Australia Test side remembered his former mentor.

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

“All the way back to our home town in Bathurst, his mentorship at St George presenting my (NSW) Baggy Blue and just genuinely being one of the nicest humans.”

Long-serving New South Wales and Australian representative Kerry O’Keeffe who was his teammate during the latter stages of Booth’s career called him a “truly great human.”

“Brian Booth has passed away at 89…sad day…long time St George cricket club teammate…av 42 in Tests…quicker hands than David Copperfield…a truly great human…genuine…strong claims to captain Aust ‘best blokes’ Test eleven…vale Sam,” he said.

Booth was highly-regarded during his career for his honesty, building a reputation of walking from the crease when he knew he was out – cricket journalist Ray Robinson claiming he’d win a prize for “fairplaymanship” if there was one.

He was also critical of anything that went against the spirit of the game, condemning the Australian cricket team in 2002 for its practice of sledging opposition teams.

“I could not condone some of their on-field behaviour,” Booth said at the time.

“Sledging in its modern form, as a premeditated and acceptable practice, certainly did not exist in my playing days.”

St George Cricket Club shared an emotional statement of the loss of one of their club greats.

“A deep pall of sadness has been cast across St George DCC with the news that our Patron, Brian Booth MBE, has passed away,” the statement read.

“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.

“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.”

The pavilion at Hurstville Oval, the club’s first grade home ground is named the Booth Saunders Pavilion in honour of the former Test captain and fellow St George legend Warren Saunders.

Booth was inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame in 2014.

He is survived by his wife Judy and four daughters.