Frank Druce

Frank Druce was the son of Walter William Druce of Denmark Hill, London. He began his career in cricket with the Marlborough College eleven between 1891 and 1893, captaining them in his last season before moving to Trinity College, Cambridge in 1893.[2] He achieved little for Cambridge in 1894, but in 1895, with very dry weather and firm pitches whilst University cricket was being played, he scored 786 runs in 17 innings for the university at an average of 56. 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.

In 1896, Druce again did well for Cambridge with the weather even drier than in the corresponding period of 1895. He was not available for Surrey after the University season ended, but in 1897, after being appointed captain of Cambridge University, he surpassed his 1895 form, averaging 66 an innings. Although he was again disappointing for Surrey later that year, his form was so good for the University that Wisden chose Druce as one of their Five Cricketers of the Year for 1898 and he toured Australia.

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

Although it was rumoured that Druce would play for Kent in 1898, it was, according to Wisden that year, thought that "very little will be seen of him in first-class cricket". In fact, Druce could not spare any time at all for county cricket as he moved into business, and though he played two more first-class matches for Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and H.D.G. Leveson Gower's XI in 1902 and 1909, his serious cricket had ended with his Ashes tour. 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.

Druce was a rather unorthodox batsman focused chiefly on hitting, and for his day his hitting on the leg-side was exceptional in quality. 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.

Frank Druce at ESPNcricinfo