Brian Booth, a former Australian Test captain who was described as a “immensely respected and admired” player, passed away on Saturday at the age of 89, according to a statement from Cricket Australia.
Between 1961 and 1966, the middle order batsman participated in 29 Tests for Australia, twice serving as captain against England during the 1965–1966 Ashes series while Bob Simpson, the normal skipper, was absent.
He averaged 42.21 runs per innings while scoring 1,773 runs, including five centuries.
Booth, a dual-sport athlete, competed in hockey as well and represented Australia at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne.
CA president Nick Hockley praised Brian as having “immense respect and admiration throughout the cricketing community and beyond.”
“Brian’s name appears on a list that includes many of the greatest players in the game and has the names of less than 50 individuals who have led the Australian men’s Test team.
He lived a remarkable life and will be sorely missed.
Booth was a life member of the Marylebone Cricket Club and played 93 times for New South Wales in the domestic Sheffield Shield tournament, tallying 5,574 runs at a 43.5 average.
