Mr Booth, 81, will be taking no sides when three denominations clash during Cricket for Bibles at the University of Sydney on Sunday 15 March.

“I’ll be taking an overall viewpoint of the contest,” he said tactfully this week about the upcoming tournament between the Anglican XI, Catholic XI and C3 Church XI. Former Premier Kristina Keneally will play for the Catholics, while Rev Dr Michael Jensen will pad up for the Anglicans.

Bible Society’s fun alternative to the Cricket World Cup is designed to bring together the three denominations in friendly rivalry, while raising funds for a literacy and Bible reading programme for women in Pakistan.

“I think it brings people together for a common cause and I think all who will be involved will be happy to make some contribution to the outreach work of Bible Society’s distribution of scriptures and other materials,” Mr Booth says.

A graceful middle-order batsman, he played 93 games for NSW and 29 Test matches for Australia, captaining NSW and two Test matches, and vice-captain for two Test tours, as well as playing for St George Cricket Club for 60 years.

It was through talks with fellow cricketer and Pastor Roy Gray that Mr Booth became a Christian at the age of 19. “He played first-grade cricket with St George and it was through his friendship and sharing with me that I became a Christian.”

Bible Society CEO Greg Clarke is thrilled that Mr Booth is joining the Cricket For Bibles day.

“My Aunty Carol gave me his book, Booth to Bat, when I was a young cricket nut and it was the first time I realised that your Christian Faith was something you took with you ‘in public’, even onto the cricket field,” he says.

“As the only Australian cricket captain ever to have also worked for Bible Society (so far, at least), it seems very fitting that Brian is handing out the trophies at our inaugural cricket comp.”

Dr Clarke joked that his best bowling figures were superior to Mr Booth’s. “I guess he did get his in Tests and I got mine in the Armidale Under 10Bs, but that is hardly relevant.”

In Mr Booth’s prime, Test cricketers were all amateurs and he had to take leave without pay from his job as a physical education teacher to play for his country. The same was true in winter, when he played hockey. He represented Australia in the sport at the 1956 Olympics, and played for NSW in 1955, 1956 and 1960.

While he is not as active now, he still supports his club St George, and attends games most weekends. “I’ve got a grandson who is playing for the club, Nathan Anderson, so that’s given me an added interest.”

Find out more about Bible Society Australia’s ‘Cricket For Bibles’ event here >>