An excellent right-arm bowler, Fred Ridgway debuted for Kent shortly after World War 2 and had the misfortune to be playing at a time when there were many other similar bowlers available for England. A small man, he was still able to work up a respectable pace, He took over 1000 first-class wickets in a career that spanned fifteen years, and is one of the few bowlers to have achieved the "double hat-trick", taking four wickets with consecutive deliveries against Derby in 1951. A useful lower-order bat and fine close fielder, he fell just short of achieving a first-class century. He took part in a county record 9th wicket partnership with BR Edrich in 1949. His one tour was to India with what has been described as the weakest England team to travel there. He and Statham shouldered the fast-bowling chores, and in the non-international matches he did well, capturing 41 wickets on the tour at a good average. With many top-players missing Ridgway played all five Tests but laboured on the unforgiving wickets of the sub-continent and against a strong Indian batting line up. His 7 wickets cost over 50 runs apiece and with Statham, and Trueman establishing themselves was not given the opportunity to play again.
Dave Liverman