 Booth was born in Featherstone, Yorkshire, England, and began playing for Yorkshire's Second XI in 1923, and made his first team debut in 1931, but played only twice.From 1935 until World War II he represented Northumberland in the Minor Counties Championship and was selected for the Minor Counties representative side in 1936 and 1938.After Hedley Verity was killed during the War, Yorkshire lacked a slow left-arm bowler when cricket resumed and Booth was recalled.