One of Australia’s most decorated former cricket captains, who also played Olympic hockey, dies aged 89
- Australia’s 31st Test cricket captain Brian Booth dies aged 89
- Mr Booth also played hockey for Australia at the 1956 Olympics
Australia’s 31st Men’s Test captain Brian Booth has died aged 89.
Booth, who played 29 Tests for Australia, scored five Test centuries and was a key cog in Australia’s batting in the early 1960s.
Such was his athleticism, he also represented Australia in hockey at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956.
But it was in cricket that he made a name for himself with 1,773 tries at 42.21.
A stylish mid-range bat, Booth scored a century in his first home Test against England in 1962, before scoring another in the next game at the MCG.
Revered ex-Australian cricket captain Brian Booth (pictured) has died aged 89
Booth played 29 Tests for Australia and also represented Australia in hockey at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
He averaged 50.5 as Australia held on to the Ashes at home before dominating South Africa the following summer with another two Test tons.
The right-hander then posted solid returns in England in 1964 when Australia won the Ashes again, and captained for two matches in 1965-66 with Bob Simpson absent.
But at the same time his own stick stumbled and after the hosts were heavily beaten in the second of those games, Simpson came back to the side and Booth was dropped.
“Captain Australia has been a privilege,” Booth said in an interview with Cricket Monthly in 2013.
“Bobby Simpson was the regular captain and broke his arm just before the first test.
“He came back for the second test in Melbourne and on the eve of the third, in Sydney, Sir Donald Bradman approached me in training and said, ‘Bob has chickenpox, Brian. You are captain tomorrow’.’
Booth’s omission prompted Bradman to write to him, telling him that he and his colleagues had “hated” having to move from him to captaincy in the space of three matches.
“I don’t think he’s ever done this (writing to a player) before,” Booth said.
“But I understood why. My grades weren’t good enough. I was able to double numbers in most innings only to go out.
“At one point I knew I would be passed over for someone who performed better. Ian Chappell and Keith Stackpole came into the team and were to have great careers.
Booth scored five test centuries and was a key cog in Australia’s batting in the early 1960s.
Booth was subsequently elected a life member of the Melbourne Cricket Club, received an MBE from the Queen in 1982 and was inducted into the NSW Cricket Hall of Fame in 2014.
“Brian was immensely respected and admired throughout the cricket community and beyond and we send our deepest condolences to his wife Judy, their family and friends,” said Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley.
“Less than 50 players have captained the Australian men’s Test team and Brian’s name is on a list that includes many big names in the game.”
“He had an extraordinary life and will be sorely missed. His contribution to cricket continues to be an inspiration and will always be remembered.
