Brian Booth MBE, Geoff Lawson OAM and the late Margaret Peden will be inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame during tomorrow night’s Steve Waugh Medal Dinner at Doltone House, Pyrmont (March 28).
The Cricket NSW Hall of Fame recognises both the on-field achievements of the players and their contribution to cricket in this State.
Brian Booth made his First Class debut for NSW in 1954. He went on to play 93 First Class matches for his State, which at the time of his retirement in 1968/69, was a record for the most matches played for NSW.
Booth captained NSW on 12 occasions and scored 5,577 runs at an average of 43.77 with 11 centuries and 30 half-centuries. He also played 29 Tests, scoring 1,773 runs at 42.21 with five centuries and 10 half-centuries.
In addition he scored 10,674 First Grade runs in the Sydney Grade competition, making him one of only three players alongside Bob Simpson and Warren Bardsley to have scored 5,000 First Class runs for NSW and 10,000 First Grade runs.
Geoff Lawson made his First Class debut for NSW in 1977/78. He went on to play 115 First Class matches to be the third most capped player in NSW history, while his 395 wickets are the second most of any New South Welshman in history.
Lawson captained NSW in 40 First Class matches and 16 times in Domestic Limited Overs competition.
For Australia, Lawson played 46 Tests and took 180 wickets at an average of 30.56 with best figures of 8-112. He took five wickets in an innings 11 times and 10 wickets in a match twice. He also played 79 One Day Internationals, reaping 88 wickets at 29.45, with best figures of 4-26.
Margaret Peden became Australia’s first female Test captain in December 1934 when she led Australia against England in Brisbane. It was the first of six Tests, all of which were as captain.
During Australia’s first Test in England back in December 1934, Peden joined another Cricket NSW Hall of Fame member, Hazel Pritchard, in scoring 127 runs for the second wicket. It was the first century partnership for Australia in women’s Test matches and helped set up Australia’s first Test win over the English.
Peden first led NSW in a one-off match against Victoria in 1929/30 and she later became the driving force behind the creation of the first women’s interstate carnival, which was held in Sydney in 1930/31.
As the organising secretary of the competition, Peden stepped aside from the NSW team but returned the following year to captain the side.
Her name has since been immortalised in the Peden-Archer Medal which is presented to the Player of the Series in the Women’s Ashes.
The induction of Booth, Lawson and Peden will bring the number of players in the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame to 30.
PLAYER BIOGRAPHIES
Brian Booth MBE
For NSW
- Made his First Class debut in 1954
- Played 93 First Class matches between 1954 and 1968/69, which at the time of his retirement was a record for most appearances for NSW
- Captained NSW in 12 matches
- Scored 5,577 runs at 43.77 with 11 centuries and 30 half-centuries
For Australia
- Played 29 Tests between 1961 and 1966
- Scored 1,773 runs at 42.21 with five centuries and 10 half-centuries
Geoff Lawson OAM
For NSW
- Played 115 First Class matches and 44 Domestic Limited Overs matches between 1977/78 and 1991/92
- Took 395 First Class wickets and 53 Domestic Limited Overs wickets for NSW
- Captained NSW 40 times in First Class cricket and 16 times in Domestic Limited Overs matches
For Australia
- Played 46 Tests and 79 One Day Internationals between 1980 and 1989
- Took 180 Test wickets at 30.56 and 88 ODI wickets at 29.45
Margaret Peden
- Was Australia’s first Female Test captain
- Shared in Australia’s first century stand in women’s Tests
- Driving force behind creation of women’s interstate carnival
In NSW, drink-driving kills more than 50 people and injures more than 1,000 every year. Make sure you have a safe Plan B option before you head out. Catch public transport, call a taxi or ring a friend to come and get you. There’s no excuse for drinking and driving.
