Editing Brian Booth (section)

== Style and the place of religion in sport ==

<blockquote>
Brian Booth, that model of a man and of a batsman who tends to be under-rated and forgotten because both he and his cricket were so blamelessly self-effacing. Tall, upright, correct in method, ever-patient, he repeated the hundred he had got at [[the Gabba|Brisbane]], and so gave England a target to go for while all around him were failing. 
:–[[E. W. Swanton]]<ref>[[E. W. Swanton|Swanton, E. W.]] (1977). ''Swanton in Australia with MCC 1946–75''. Fontana. pp. 122–123. {{ISBN|978-0006345169}}.</ref>
</blockquote>

Booth was regarded as an elegant batsman who had an erect stance at the crease. He was known for not hitting the ball hard but for having an easy and relaxed style.<ref name="p246"/> In [[Field hockey|hockey]], a player is not allowed to lift his stick above the shoulders; this background strengthened Booth's forearms and wrists and enabled him to impart momentum on the ball without a large swing of the bat.<ref name="r274">Robinson, p. 274.</ref> He was particularly known for his [[late cut]] and [[cover drive]], which he played in a manner not dissimilar to [[Mark Waugh]].<ref name="p246"/> He was also known for his quick footwork against [[spin bowling]] and was rarely stumped, and he had the ability to change his batting tempo.<ref name="p246"/> He quickly got into position and typically moved onto the back foot to cover his stumps.<ref name="r274"/> A lean player, Booth stood 181&nbsp;cm, weighed 66&nbsp;kg and refrained from smoking, gambling and drinking.<ref name=h257/><ref name=az/> He was known for his efficient out-fielding, and on the second day of the Second Test against the [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]] in [[Trinidad]] in 1964–65, he [[run out|ran out]] [[Gary Sobers]] and [[Basil Butcher]] with strong throws from the outfield. Booth started as a part-time [[leg spin]]ner before converting to [[off spin]].<ref name="az"/>

Booth had a reputation for [[Glossary of cricket terms#walk|walking]] when he knew that he was out, without waiting for the [[Umpire (cricket)|umpire's]] decision, and he was regarded as a player and leader of the highest principles.<ref name="r277"/><ref name="p245"/> He was known for his record of instilling high standards of conduct into his players and prevented them from showing dissent towards unfavourable umpiring decisions.<ref name="r277">Robinson, p. 277.</ref> Robinson said that "if a prize were offered for sportsmanship among Australia's post-war cricketers Brian Booth ought to win it hands down".<ref name="r279">Robinson, p. 279.</ref> Lawry regarded Booth as one of the most gentlemanly cricketers that he knew.<ref>Coleman, p. 592.</ref>

A committed [[Christianity|Christian]], Booth was an [[Anglican]] lay-preacher,<ref name="p245"/> and often invoked religious and ethical arguments while talking about issues such as [[sportsmanship]]. Booth became intensely religious in the 1950s after befriending Pastor Roy Gray, a colleague in district cricket and a classmate at Sydney Teachers College.<ref name=h257/> Gray challenged his friend's faith, and Booth reflected that "Until that point, sport had really been my God".<ref name=h257/> During Booth's career, the media made much of his religious convictions. After scoring his maiden Test century, he was asked whether he felt that God was with him.<ref name=h258>Haigh, p. 258.</ref> He replied in the affirmative, and the next day, a newspaper printed the headline "England can't win. God is on Brian Booth's side."<ref name=h258/>

Booth co-authored ''Cricket and Christianity'' with [[Paul White (missionary)|Paul White]] and his autobiography, ''Booth to Bat'', also with Paul White, and also wrote ''Hockey Fundamentals''. In 1998 he wrote ''Sport and sportsmanship: a Christian perspective towards 2000'' for the Australian Christian Forum on Education. He believed that the foundations of sport were courtesy and fairness, and he condemned the prevalence of verbal jousting in the modern game.<ref name="az"/> During his career, he often spoke at religious functions in combination with other Christian cricketers. He appeared with the English Test opener Reverend [[David Sheppard]] at [[Sydney Town Hall]] and preached with [[Conrad Hunte]] in the West Indies.<ref name="r277"/>

Despite Booth's views being more genteel than those of most of his teammates, there was little friction.<ref name=h257/> Early in his state career, Booth declined to join a [[Melbourne Cup]] gambling sweep organised by captain [[Keith Miller]]. However, Miller included Booth in the event by assigning him to look after the money.<ref name=h257/> Booth said "That was typical of Keith. That he was able to turn something that might have been a problem into something positive, giving me a responsibility, making me feel part of the team."<ref name=h258/> He added, "The boys just accepted me for what I was. If they didn't share the strength of my convictions, they were quite happy for me to hold them."<ref name=h258/> Simpson said that Booth never attempted to impose his beliefs on his teammates and never gave any inkling that he disapproved of their behaviour.<ref name=h258/>