Another quintessentially British summer phenomenon is the sound of the crack of leather against willow. Invented in England in the 16th century, this game may be perplexing to foreigners, particularly as a single game can last three days, and offer the spectator little more than the sight of a group of men standing around in the field, and the opportunity of getting steadily drunker in the summer sunshine. It is very gentlemanly, and at least a sport the British are actually quite good at.
英国夏天的另一个传统现象是不时传来球皮与柳木球棒碰撞的声音，这就是板球。这项体育运动发源于16世纪的英格兰。在外国人眼中，它是一个令人困惑的体育项目，尤其是一场比赛可以持续三天，观众所看到不外乎是一群男人站在场地里，而他们自己则在夏日的阳光下不停地痛饮。板球是一种非常绅士的运动至少英国在板球上一直保有优势。