Rain Stops Play: Cricketing Climates: Sport in the Global Society

'A fascinating book on the effects of geography and climate on the sport ... Firmly part of the emerging field of sports geography, this book will certainly be a welcome addition to collections in social geography generally as well as those focusing on the sociology of sport.' - Choice
'If you are a dedicated cricket follower who believes that the weather affects results and the way the game is played, this book is a must for you. Rain Stops Play is sure to get many deckchair fans recording the connection between results and the weather.' - Sunday Times

'A safe bet that this geographical study of the game breaks fresh ground ... Andrew Hignell comes with good credentials.' - The Times

'A fascinating book on the effects of geography and climate on the sport ... Providing a fascinating history of the sport's diffusion in its early years, the author also grapples with the reality that the romantic ideal of cricket as a game played in the country in bucolic settings has vanished. Firmly part of the emerging field of sports geography, this book will certainly be a welcome addition to collections in social geography generally as well as those focusing on the sociology of sport.' - Choice

'We can enjoy a book of outstanding scholarship, genuine research into environmental issues and provocative analysis.' - The Journal of Cricket Society

'If you are a dedicated cricket follower who believes that the weather affects results and the way the game is played, this book is a must for you. Rain Stops Play is sure to get many deckchair fans recording the connection between results and the weather.' - Sunday Times

'Serious study.' - Western Gazette

'The prolific pen of Andrew Hignell has been at it again to produce his third book in the space of twelve months.' - South Wales Evening Post

'It is hard to imagine that a publication whose front cover illustrates the greatest of all cricketing anxieties should turn out to be one of the most fascinating books produced in a good while." - Extra Cover

'Andrew Hignell's excellent volume should therefore be required reading in both dressing room and press box.' - Wisden Cricket Monthly

Introduction - the need for a geography of cricket; the geographical boundaries of cricket; the growth of English cricket - a development stage model; the diffusion of cricket - a geographical explanation; a locational analysis of the county grounds of England and Wales; locational changes to county cricket, 1901-1951; the location of county cricket in the commercial age, 1951-1991; rain stops play - a meteorological analysis; the raining county champions; sunspot activity and golden summers; cricket in the cities - a microclimatic view; global warnings and global warming; greenhouse cricket - the English game in a warmer world; redrawing the boundaries; epilogue - the future geography of English cricket.

This volume looks at the fundamental geography of cricket, especially in England where the game is played by county sides.