booth made his first-class debut for new south wales against queensland in the 1954–55 sheffield shield. he made a duck in the first innings before adding 19 in the second. new south wales won, but booth was dropped when the test players returned from international duty. booth was recalled a month later for a match against len hutton's english cricket team at the sydney cricket ground. arthur morris and bill watson had to withdraw at late notice and booth was asked to play, having already started his day's work as a teacher at hurlstone agricultural college. he caught a train and arrived at the ground more than half an hour after the start of play, by which time new south wales had collapsed to 3/12. new south wales fell further to 5/26 before booth came in with a borrowed cap and bat to join peter philpott. they put on an 83-run partnership, and booth eventually finished the innings unbeaten on 74 as the hosts folded for 172. booth made a duck in the second innings and took his maiden first-class wicket as new south wales defeated hutton's men. it was only the tourists' second loss for the campaign, and the last match in booth's debut season.