An all-rounder, he bowled slow left-arm orthodox and wrist-spin and batted doggedly as a left-hander, mostly at number six or seven, compiling 7 centuries in his first class career.
Despite his prolific record in first-class cricket, he was unsuccessful during the series against England and was dropped from the national team.
In the Fifth Test in Sydney Ray Lindwall took 109/9, but thought that Tribe had bowled better, but with no luck to return 153/0.
An engineer by trade, he joined a Northamptonshire-based firm in 1951 and his prolific record saw Northamptonshire offer him terms for that season.
As of 2007, Tribe still holds the Northamptonshire record for best bowling in a first-class match, returning figures of 15–31 (made up of 7–22 and 8–9) against Yorkshire in 1958.