Cricket Australia announced on Saturday that former test player and field hockey Olympian Brian Booth had died. He was 89.

Booth was a graceful middle-order batsman and made 29 Tests for Australia between 1961 and 1966, including twice as captain. He hit 1,773 runs, including five centuries, with an average of 42.21.

A middle-order batsman and part-time off spinner, Booth played a total of 29 Tests, scoring 1,773 runs and taking three wickets. He also represented Australia in ice hockey at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics before earning his Test cap as a 27-year-old on the 1961 Ashes Tour. In an interview with The Cricket Monthly in 2013, Booth had said that "he was fortunate to be able to play two sports."

He waited 16 months to play a Test at home and when the time came he scored 112 and 19 points against England in Brisbane in December 1962. A second hundred followed at the next test in Melbourne.

As a doubles athlete, Booth represented Australia in ice hockey at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne.

He was rewarded for his consistent performances with NSW with a selection at the 1961 Ashes Tour where he made his Test debut.

Booth then established himself as a fixture in Australia's middle class and was promoted to vice-captain under Bob Simpson in 1964. He captained Australia in the first two Tests of the 1965–66 Ashes series while Simpson was absent through injury and illness.

Booth represented NSW 93 times in the Sheffield Shield, scoring 5574 runs at 43.5. He was associated with St. George DCC for life, where he was a player, president and club patron until his death.

“Less than 50 players have captained the Australia men's test team and Brian's name is on a list with many of the game's all-time greats. He had an extraordinary life and we will miss him dearly. His contribution to cricket continues to be an inspiration and..." will always be remembered.

He represented New South Wales nationally, scoring a total of 5577 runs including 11 hundreds in 93 top-flight games.

Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon said: "Brian's achievements on the pitch and as a leader are well documented and the fact that he has led Australia and NSW in cricket and played ice hockey for Australia at the home Olympics shows that." how special he was as an athlete.

"But that's just part of Brian and it was his respectful, polite and friendly manner off the pitch that will be remembered by everyone he came into contact with."

Booth is survived by his wife Judy and four daughters.