Former Australian Test captain and Olympian Brian Booth MBE had died at the age of 89.
Tributes are flowing for the much loved sportsman who played 29 Tests for Australia from 1961-66, and also represented his country in hockey at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
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A prolific middle order batter, Booth scored 1773 runs during his distinguished career, including five centuries, at an average of 42.21.
Originally from Bathurst, the right-hander relocated to Sydney and quickly became an important member of the St George team, later representing the NSW Blues in the Sheffield Shield on 93 occasions.
Booth became a legend of the St George District Cricket Club after winning a premiership in his first season (1952/53) and scoring an incredible 10674 runs at 45.4, including 23 centuries, the club record.
Booth was selected in the St George District Cricket Club’s Team of the Century in 2010 and was a Hall of Fame member and received a Life Membership award in 1970.
The stylish and elegant batter went on to became a NSW Blues great and scored 5577 runs at 43.5 and received Life Membership in 1974, and was inducted into the CNSW Hall of Fame in 2014.
Booth was rewarded for his outstanding performances with NSW and he earned selection for Australia on the 1961 Ashes tour to England where he made his Test debut.
The cricketing great became a regular in the Australian Test side and his leadership qualities saw him become vice-captain under Bob Simpson in 1964.
Booth had the honour of captaining Australia during the first two Tests of the 1965-66 Ashes series.
In 1969, Booth became a Life Member of the MCC and in 1982 he received an MBE from the Queen.
7Cricket commentator and former NSW and Australian cricketer Trent Copeland said Booth played an important role for him during his career.
“Words can’t really describe what Mr. Booth meant to me, and I’m sure so many others!” Copeland wrote on Twitter
“All the way back to our home town in Bathurst, his mentorship at @stgeorgedcc, presenting my @CricketNSWMen Baggy Blue and just genuinely being one of the nicest humans.”
Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia CEO said Booth will be deeply missed.
“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 in a statement.
“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 Booth will be remembered as a man who everybody loved.
“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 in a statement.
“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.”