He had played a few times for Surrey in 1895 and 1897, when the team was a powerful force in county cricket, but his performance was so modest that he had difficulty justifying his place.

He made an impressive 50 on a fiery pitch for the Gentlemen against an extremely strong Players attack (with Richardson, Mold and Peel prominent) at Lord's in July, but playing for Surrey in July and August that year Druce was a complete failure on a succession of sticky wickets - so much so that in seven matches he scored only 111 runs from ten innings.

Although England were overwhelmed as bowlers like Richardson and Briggs lost form, Druce did not do badly, averaging 28 in his five Tests.

However, his 152 for Free Foresters against Cambridge University as late as 1912 does suggest he would have done a good deal had he been able to play even occasionally.

Although he was not a pure slogger, his defence on sticky wickets was not the equal of the best batsmen of his day, as shown in August 1895.