born near the new south wales country town of bathurst, booth moved to sydney in 1952 and played in the grade cricket competition while training to become a teacher. he made his first-class debut for the new south wales cricket team and came to prominence in dramatic circumstances in his second match, against the touring englishmen in 1954–55. due to late withdrawals, booth was selected at late notice and had to be called from work on the morning of the match. after arriving after the start of the match, he scored 74 following a batting collapse. booth struggled to make an impression early in his career and missed a season to train and with the australian field hockey team for the 1956 olympics in melbourne. upon returning to first-class cricket in 1957–58, he held down a regular position in the state team while the test players were touring overseas. booth gradually progressed and gained selection on the 1959–60 australian second xi tour to new zealand.