George William Spencer Lyttelton, known affectionately as Spencer Lyttelton, was a prominent cricket player hailing from England. Born on June 12th, 1847, in London, Lyttelton was the fourth son of Baron Lyttelton. While his three brothers – Charles, Edward, and Alfred – achieved great fame in the cricket field, Spencer Lyttelton had an admirable record in his own right, both during his time at Eton and Cambridge.
Lyttelton’s passion for cricket was evident from a young age, and he made his mark as a member of the Eton Eleven in 1863, 1864, and 1865. In his first appearance at Lord’s against Harrow, Lyttelton showcased his talent alongside outstanding teammates like Alfred Lubbock, E. W. Tritton, the Hon. F. G. Pelham, and J. Frederick. Although the match ended in a draw, Tritton’s impressive scores of 91 and 58, and Lubbock’s contribution of 80, gave Eton a formidable presence on the field.
However, Harrow dominated the following two years, defeating Eton by an innings and runs in both 1864 and 1865. Despite being on the losing side, Lyttelton distinguished himself as the top scorer for Eton in 1864 with a second innings of 50, displaying remarkable skill against formidable bowling. In 1865, though, his performance fell short of expectations.
Throughout his time at Eton, Lyttelton had several outstanding moments, with his best achievement being an unbeaten 96 against Winchester in 1864. Together with W. S. Prideaux, Lyttelton led Eton to a resounding nine-wicket victory, leaving an indelible mark on the match.
Continuing his cricket career at Cambridge, Lyttelton represented the university in 1866 and 1867. In his first year, he failed to leave a significant impact against Oxford. However, it was in 1867 that Lyttelton earned his place among the heroes of a thrilling game. Despite Cambridge facing a challenging target of 110 runs, with five of their best wickets falling at 54 thanks to E. M. Kenney’s formidable left-handed fast bowling, Lyttelton’s resilience paid off. Alongside W. S. O. Warner, Lyttelton remained unbeaten at 20 and played a crucial role in securing Cambridge’s victory without further loss.
1867 was undoubtedly Lyttelton’s standout year as a batsman, highlighted by his remarkable score of 114 at Fenner’s for the University against Cambridgeshire. This achievement showcased Lyttelton’s exceptional batting prowess and solidified his position as an integral member of the team.
Beyond cricket, Lyttelton also made significant contributions to public affairs and the arts. He served as the chief private secretary to Mr. Gladstone from 1892 to 1894 and was recognized for his excellent musicianship, earning a spot on the Executive Committee of the Royal College of Music.
On December 5th, in his 67th year, George William Spencer Lyttelton passed away at his residence in Hill Street, London. Although he may not have achieved the same level of fame as his brothers, his love for cricket and his commendable performances at Eton and Cambridge left an enduring legacy. Spencer Lyttelton will forever be remembered as a cricket player who displayed passion, determination, and talent in the sport he held dear.
