George Tribe was a handy left-handed bat and left-arm wrist spinner. He debuted for VCA Colts in 1939-40 and played for North Melbourne over the next decade. He also played 66 VFL games for Footscray from 1940-1946, kicking 80 goals.

He burst on the scene for Victoria when first class cricket resumed post World War II with a string of impressive performances, taking 86 wickets in just 13 matches. Selected for three Ashes Tests in 1946-47, Tribe took just two expensive wickets and was discarded.

Tribe spent the next few years playing League cricket in England and also for a Commonwealth XI in India, Pakistan and Ceylon. He was named Indian Cricketer of the Year in 1949-50, taking 99 wickets in 17 matches. By 1952, although aged 32, Tribe had qualified for Northamptonshire and gave the county tremendous service, achieving "the double" seven times in the next eight seasons and being named one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year in 1955.

Following his retirement after the 1959 English season, Tribe later returned to Melbourne, coaching at Richmond and Melbourne Uni .