John Nyren

John Nyren was a left-hand batsmen who made a few appearances for Hambledon in the club's twilight years - he joined the club when he was 14 and stayed until its demise - and then played for Homerton. He also played for England as well as Gentlemen - in the first match against Players - at Lord's in the first decade of the 19th century. His real fame came as an author. In 1833 he published The Young Cricketer's Tutor, a classic and colourful recollection of the legendary figures who dominated the final years of the previous century. It is widely regarded as cricket's first great work of literature.
Martin Williamson