James Laing umpired one Test match, involving Australia against England, played at Adelaide on 10 January to 16 January 1908. His colleague was Bob Crockett. The match was notable for the match-winning 8th wicket partnership of 243 between Clem Hill and Roger Hartigan, still Australia's highest partnership for the 8th wicket. Hartigan, with 116 in the second innings, scored a century on his debut.