A powerful middle order batsman and occasional right-arm leg-spin bowler, White made his first-class cricket debut as a teenager in the 2000-01 season for the Victorian Bushrangers. This brought comparisons to leg-spinner Shane Warne, the second highest wicket-taker in Test history, and team mate in the Victorian state team. However, White's bowling style is more reminiscent of Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble with little spin and a reliance on top-spinners and googlys. White's progress as a bowler has stagnated in recent years and he is currently viewed to be a batting all-rounder.

White first represented Australia at Under-19 level in January 2001 at the age of 17. In January-February 2002 he captained the Australian team to victory in the ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand.