Cricket Australia mourns the death of former captain Brian Booth

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Sydney | Cricket Australia mourns the death of former Australia and NSW captain Brian Booth MBE at the age of 89. Booth is survived by his wife, Judy, and four daughters.

A prolific middle-order batsman, Booth played 29 Tests for Australia between 1961 and 1966, including two Tests as captain. He scored 1773 runs at an average of 42.21 including five centuries.

A dual sport athlete, Booth represented Australia in hockey at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

He was rewarded for his consistent performances with NSW with selection on the 1961 Ashes tour, where he made his Test debut.

Booth then established himself as a fixture in the Australian middle-order, and in 1964 he was given the vice-captaincy under Bob Simpson. He captained Australia in the first two Tests of the 1965–66 Ashes series in Simpson’s absence due to injury and illness.

Booth represented NSW in the Sheffield Shield on 93 occasions, scoring 5574 runs at an average of 43.5, and had a lifelong association with the St George DCC, where he was a player, chairman and club patron.

He was also elected a life member of the MCC and received an MBE from the Queen in 1982. He was inducted into the CNSW Hall of Fame in 2014.

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said: “Brian was greatly respected and admired by the entire cricket community and beyond and we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Judy and their family and friends.”

“Fewer than 50 players have captained the Australian men’s Test team and Brian’s name joins a list that includes many legends of the game.

“His life was extraordinary and he will be sadly missed. His contribution to cricket remains an inspiration and will always be remembered.”

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