I had a feeling pre series that the ECB would be ordering slow pitches, case in point this Lord's offering. All well and good, but if you lose the toss you have a mountain to climb after day 1. A shame really because the pitch at this ground for the NZ test was a cracker.

Also depends on the pitches. We prepared dry surfaces last time for Swann, hwever haven't got that luxury this time around. A seaming pitch with a bit of swing on a humid day could have them in all kinds of trouble. But will the ECB want to risk sporty pitches with the Aussie fast bowlers? Cardiff pitch is usually pretty flat, so lets see.

Their batting isn't all that, apart from Steve Smith the rest of them can fall in a heap. However, our issues in getting tailenders out and then facing their quicks is what will cost us.

The whole Middle-Earth thing seems very twee compared to the GRRM universe. Wonder if the Lord ut Rings films would have taken off in the same way if released now?

Bit harsh to call NZ a 'bunch of amateurs', one of the few fully professional outfits in world cricket- unlike India that often phone in performances overseas, the sadly diminshed Windies, inconsistent Pakistan. I would compare them to South Africa in their unrelenting approach.

Love Pointless (aside from the panifully bland 'comedian' Alexander Armstrong). However, what on earth is that one with Ben Shepherd? A giant version of the 2p machine in t'arcades?!

Problem with ODIs is their lack of context. These bilateral series don't mean anything, especially years away from the main event. A triangular tournament against the two touring sides should be played each year instead, not a random 5 match series against NZ crammed in before the Ashes.

He's no Greyjoy

It was a great initiative in 1993, all part of the forward thinking of the club at that time. However, now it just seems so tired, no features, dreadful 'playlist' of music (who wants to listen to music on an AM frequency anyway?), presenters going through the motions, hardly any callers. If it is to stay, put it on at say 2pm, straight hour of Rovers chat, no music. Same could be said about 'Rovers TV', I remember in the Hughes era, an interview with him would be held straight after the game (we'd usually just won), shown on the screen and the TVs in the concourse, there would be hundreds of people watching it, 'Hughesy, Hughesy' we'd sing and off we would bound up Livesey Branch Road. Sniff

Where are the Greyjoys?!

Wss supposed to be going to Old Trafford for the Roses Twenty20 tonight. Shocking year for the counties

You kick one Scot...

Wasn't there 'personal reasons' behind his move to Rangers?

Don't be daft.

Newell missing that pen, those last few minutes still make me nervous now. My dad went missing for the last 20 minutes, think he smoked a packet of fags on the concourse !

Not a fan of Sharjan, got a Rogan Josh there and I've honestly had better from Asda. Sukhi's on the other hand

I watch a fair bit of both codes, but find the Premiership almost unwatchable at times. Whilst even a poor RL game has its moments. How do you avid RL fans feel about Union ending up with a far bigger profile?

Before my time but my dad had always said that the 1970 England team were better then the 66 side.

Tell you what there is a lot of bulls*** that surrounds football, but this last day or so has really brought home why we love the game. From fans, to players, to managers, some of the tributes and memories I have read have brought a lump to my throat. He really was one of the few people in football I really admired. God Speed, Gary.

Why doesn't it make sense? Mental illness has affected those with power, glory, wealth- say Winston Churchill to your man struggling to pay his bills in a bedsit. It doesn't discriminate.

That's mental illness, doesn't take account of wealth, family, material possessions. gutted.

He played till he was 40! Ultimate pro, and always came across as a top bloke. Really sad news.

Don't be expecting any digging from the LT!