Cricketers
Another golden afternoon
An idyllic sporting scene
A tapestry in green
Willow heroes
And in pavillioned splendour nationwide
The game and its laws bestride
The best of England

Bat
On ball
The manly thwack of blade on leather
Players all
So worthy of the crowd's acclaim

And
Although
Protected in their regions nether
Batsmen know
The dangers of the summer game

And walking bravely to the crease
A man with much to do

Earl
We're 23 for 2
Needing 90
Cricketers
And watching bravely from the boundary ropes
A sweet English rose whose hopes
Stride out there with him

Now
The test
Of character and application
At his best
He's man enough for any cause

'Round
The ground
In civilised appreciation
Comes the sound
Of dignified, informed applause

Bat
On ball
The noblest of all competition
Players all
In attitude and drive the same
Steeped
In grace
And mindful of the game's tradition
They embrace
The glory of the summer game