A geographical history of cricket in England and Wales in a global context.

'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

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.