Ernie Upham bowled right-arm medium pace, batted right-handed in the lower order, and was a fine slips fieldsman.

He took 6 for 84 in the first innings to set up New Zealand's victory over the MCC at the Basin Reserve in 1906–07.

[2] His best first-class innings figures came in the second innings of Wellington's match against Canterbury in 1901–02: Canterbury needed 91 to win, and won by three wickets, but Upham took 7 for 24, bowling six of his victims.

[4] Dick Brittenden said of him: "Upham, a pace bowler of the highest class, indulged in the eccentricity of wearing his cap back to front while he was bowling.

He took a run of only about 10 paces, and with a smooth delivery and high right arm, he could achieve a thunderous break-back.