Vale Brian Booth MBE

The Association mourns the passing of our co-Patron Brian Booth MBE.

Mr. Booth was a former Australian and New South Wales captain, aged 89 on May 19 at the time of his passing.

He played 29 Tests for Australia between 1961 and 1966 being the national captain on two occasions.

An elegant middle order batter, Mr. Booth scored 1,773 runs, including five centuries, at an average of 42.21.

A dual international, Mr. Booth represented Australia in hockey at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

Mr. Booth represented New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield on 93 occasions scoring 5,574 runs at 43.5 and had a lifelong association with St George District Cricket Club where he was a player, coach, president for 10 years and club patron for 40 years until his passing.

He proudly became a patron of NSW Cricket Umpires’ and Scorers’ Association in 2012, being a regular attendee at Annual Dinners over the years and gave an outstanding keynote address on the Spirit of Cricket when the Annual Convention was held in Wollongong.

Outside of cricket, and in his professional life, Mr. Booth was a respected teacher before lecturing in physical education at Sydney Teachers College. There, Mr. Booth served as head of the Health and Human Movement Studies Department for five years.

Mr. Booth received several honours during his life:

• 31st Australian Men’s Test Cricket Captain | 1965-66
• Life membership of St George District Club | 1970
• Life membership of NSW Cricket Association | 1974
• MBE from the Queen | 1982
• St George District Cricket Club Team of the Century | 2010
• CNSW Hall of Fame | 2014
• St George District Cricket Club Hall of Fame | 2020
• Life membership of the MCC

Mr. Booth was one of the most respected people in cricket. He had a reputation for walking when he knew that he was out, without waiting for the umpire’s decision, and he was regarded as a player and leader of the highest principles.

He was known for encouraging high standards of conduct among his players and led by example in never showing dissent towards unfavourable umpiring decisions. He believed that the foundations of sport were courtesy and fairness.

In 2002, Mr. Booth publicly condemned sledging and verbal intimidation tactics in cricket. He stated, “In the games that I played in, I can’t ever remember being sledged, and I can’t ever remember sledging anybody.”

In acknowledging Mr. Booth’s passing, St George District Cricket Club President, Kevin Greene wrote, “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.”

NSWCUSA Board Chair, Mark Hughes said, “Our Association mourns the passing of Brian Booth MBE whom we thank for his patronage and support over the past 11 years.

“Mr. Booth was a revered figure in New South Wales and Australian cricket, he was also a man of great faith living these values on and off the cricket field. He was a sincere advocate for match officials and respected their place in the game.

“He would regularly make himself known around the grounds which was greatly appreciated by all umpires and scorers with whom he came in contact.

“He was also a wonderful support to the Executive and Management of the NSWCUSA, always willing to share his counsel when asked.

“Mr Booth was such a humble and selfless person who gave people time and was willing to share his experience to benefit others. We are saddened by Mr. Booth’s passing, but we comfort ourselves with the knowledge that we had the pleasure and privilege of knowing Mr. Booth. We acknowledge and celebrate his remarkable life of service to cricket and the community.”

Mr. Booth is survived by his wife Judy and four daughters. The Association extends its deepest and sincere sympathy to Mr. Booth’s family and many friends.