Ridgway was born at
Stockport in
Cheshire on 10 August 1923. As a
county cricketer, Ridgway, although not appearing a likely successful pace bowler because of his slight build, was the mainstay of
Kent County Cricket Club's opening attack for a decade after
World War II, except on the rare occasions that
Jack Martin could get away from business. Ridgway did not play regularly in 1946, but the following year he jumped into prominence with 12 for 86 on a rain-affected pitch against
Yorkshire. Though in 1948 he was badly affected by injury, 1949 proved to be Ridgway's best year, for he took 105 wickets for 22.88 runs each, which ranked him as the fourth-best pace bowler in the country after
Bedser,
Gladwin and
Les Jackson. Ridgway's most notable performance was on the featherbed
Trent Bridge wicket, where he took six for 79 in the first innings, and paved the way for an easy Kent victory. Apart from teammate
Doug Wright in the second innings, no visiting bowler at Trent Bridge bettered those figures all year, but Ridgway's most notable feat that year was his striking consistency: with only one haul of eight or more in a match he still took 90 wickets in 20 county games. Moreover, playing against
Sussex, Ridgway "shared in a record partnership of 161 for the ninth wicket" with
Brian Edrich. This partnership, just under half the total of 379, was made in a losing cause. Although Ridgway did not play in any of the Tests that year, he was regarded as a contender for honours but, in 1950, injury again took its toll. Career-best figures of eight for 39, however, against
Nottinghamshire at the tail end of the season, were followed by an impressive 1951, where he took over 90 wickets. With
Alec Bedser amongst others declining to
tour India, Ridgway was a natural choice. He was one of seven players who made their Test debut on that trip where he opened the bowling with
Brian Statham. Injury again troubled him in 1952 and 1955, and he did not return to his best form until 1956, when support at last coming from
David Halfyard, Ridgway took 82 wickets and, two years later, had his second-highest aggregate with 98 wickets at 14.26 runs, lifting Kent to their highest
County Championship position since 1947. Injuries again restricted him severely in 1959 and 1960, after which he retired from first-class cricket. ==Football==