 He played first-class cricket for Scotland either side of World War II, making a total of 15 appearances, with his final match coming against Ireland in 1953 in Belfast.A bowler, Laidlaw took 40 wickets at an average of 26.62, with two five wicket hauls, although he never managed to better the figures he took against Yorkshire in 1938.His other five wicket haul came against Ireland in 1949.