First Test: England v New Zealand, May 21-25.

[Dr Cricket]

From all the tourist I can only Remember Australia,sri lanka having a good record at lords and even then Australia lost the last two and Sri lanka drew the last 3 games at lords mainly because of the very flat pitches on offer.

PS South Africa got a good record at lord won 2 and drew one in the last 3 games at lords.

Apart from that England been dominating the Lords games.

Since 2000 England got a good record at lords only lost 6 times but lots of draws and they won 16 times.

[backfootpunch]

From all the tourist I can only Remember Australia,sri lanka having a good record at lords and even then Australia lost the last two and Sri lanka drew the last 3 games at lords mainly because of the very flat pitches on offer.

PS South Africa got a good record at lord won 2 and drew one in the last 3 games at lords.

Apart from that England been dominating the Lords games.

Since 2000 England got a good record at lords only lost 6 times but lots of draws and they won 16 times.

the current team is probably worse that pretty much every england team to have played at lords since 2000 though

[Dr Cricket]

Batting is strong but the bowling is definitely the weakest England attack since a very long time.
Only Anderson is class and maybe broad if he turns up.

Stokes, Woakes, Jordan, Ali, Root are average bowlers.

Can't see these bowlers averaging less than 30 in test (overall) or having many series where their average around 25 or less (in a series) that generally wins matches or series.

Surprised not much is being said about the bowling options in the side or knocking about in County cricket.

If broad bowls *modded* in the first test, I would seriously drop him considering he can bowl far better and quicker but is either too tired or need a kick in the backside.

I would bring him back in the Ashes though.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Nice clip on cricinfo where the Kiwis say what they like about UK (Lord's) and what they don't like (everything else). Shows how far these islands have slipped that the New Zealanders now see UK as a bit of cultural backwater... They're young men. They could at least fancy the women.

France isn't that far away chaps.

So many beards in their squad.

[sussexpob]

Nice clip on cricinfo where the Kiwis say what they like about UK (Lord's) and what they don't like (everything else). Shows how far these islands have slipped that the New Zealanders now see UK as a bit of cultural backwater... They're young men. They could at least fancy the women

I think the moans were....

1. The Nightlife.... but that wasn't a negative, he was making the point that its a shame they cant enjoy the nightlife when playing....
2. Hotel Beds.... they are too firm? Clearly never been to Scandinavia, they sleep on concrete here.....
3. The traffic on the M25..... this is what happens when you are trying to get in and out a city that is 4 times the population of your country... welcome to a country that isn't just empty space.
4. The Coffee...... Flat Whites are available in literally every coffee shop in the UK I have been to.... I would say that this would make them feel at home, but then again contrary to what Kiwi's tell you, the Flat White is an Australian invention.

In fact, Grant Elliot's moan about the coffee is so reminiscent of the attitude of foreign tourists to England. Coffee in England is superb, you can get a cup reasonably priced anywhere, and the standards are good, and that comes from someone who leaves in a country where coffee is everywhere and is considered an art form.... probably didn't get past the freeze dried or filter coffee they served him for breakfast in the Travelodge buffet. That stuff is the same everywhere, even in Italy or France.

I have spoken to so many foreign people who say "the food in London is sh*t" and then when questioned further, justify it with, "well, I went into a thing called Weatherspoons and had a beer and a burger for £2"

[Aidan11]

I'll be glad when this game finally starts.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Third v fifth this. NZ being third.

[Aidan11]

Seventh if we lose the series.

[yuppie]

Nice clip on cricinfo where the Kiwis say what they like about UK (Lord's) and what they don't like (everything else). Shows how far these islands have slipped that the New Zealanders now see UK as a bit of cultural backwater... They're young men. They could at least fancy the women

I think the moans were....

1. The Nightlife.... but that wasn't a negative, he was making the point that its a shame they cant enjoy the nightlife when playing....
2. Hotel Beds.... they are too firm? Clearly never been to Scandinavia, they sleep on concrete here.....
3. The traffic on the M25..... this is what happens when you are trying to get in and out a city that is 4 times the population of your country... welcome to a country that isn't just empty space.
4. The Coffee...... Flat Whites are available in literally every coffee shop in the UK I have been to.... I would say that this would make them feel at home, but then again contrary to what Kiwi's tell you, the Flat White is an Australian invention.

In fact, Grant Elliot's moan about the coffee is so reminiscent of the attitude of foreign tourists to England. Coffee in England is superb, you can get a cup reasonably priced anywhere, and the standards are good, and that comes from someone who leaves in a country where coffee is everywhere and is considered an art form.... probably didn't get past the freeze dried or filter coffee they served him for breakfast in the Travelodge buffet. That stuff is the same everywhere, even in Italy or France.

I have spoken to so many foreign people who say "the food in London is sh*t" and then when questioned further, justify it with, "well, I went into a thing called Weatherspoons and had a beer and a burger for £2"

Kiwis, they just like a good whinge.....

[hopeforthebest]

My interest in this series couldn't be any lower.

[Durhamfootman]

My interest in this series couldn't be any lower.

[ianp1970]

My interest in this series couldn't be any lower.

I have a ticket for Friday

[Durhamfootman]

My interest in this series couldn't be any lower.

My lack of interest in this series ranks right up there with my lack of interest in football. Complete waste of the little time I have left

[Arthur Crabtree]

Interested in seeing how the Kiwis get on. Hope Stokes and Moeen have a decent game, and it'll be good to see Wood bowl.

Nice to go to Lord's Ian. Hope you get a clear day.

[Aidan11]

My interest in this series couldn't be any lower.

I have a ticket for Friday

I'm hoping to get to day 2 or 3 of the Headingley test. Don't have a ticket but should be plenty of space left.