Tom Outridge, Jr.

Who was Tom Outridge, Jr.?

Thomas Michael "Tom" Outridge" was an Australian cricketer who represented Western Australia in 19 first-class matches between 1948 and 1953. The son of Thomas Outridge, a former Australian rules footballer, Outridge made his debut for Western Australia Colts against the Marylebone Cricket Club in October 1946. He graduated to the senior Western Australia side the following season, making his debut against a touring Indian cricket team in February 1948, scoring 28 and 14 runs in the first and second innings respectively, batting at number three. Outridge made his Sheffield Shield debut against South Australia, scoring 49 runs in the first innings before being run out by John Wilkin. He played his final match in 1953, against the touring South Africans. His highest score was achieved against the touring MCC in October 1950, with Outridge hitting nine fours and three sixes in his innings of 92. Outridge was also a noted slow left-arm orthodox bowler, with a best of 5/78 taken against Victoria in February 1953, in what was his final Shield match. Outridge retired from cricket in November 1953, after he moved to Bunbury, to work at his father's hotel, citing difficulties "having to travel 250 miles to play each weekend". He later represented a Bunbury district team at the WACA Country Championships.