New Zealand have no chance in series, insists former England coach Lloyd

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With the first Test at Lord's starting on Thursday, Sky Sports commentator Lloyd said: "England are too strong in every facet. How much of a threat do New Zealand pose? None.

High hopes: Former England coach David Lloyd

"They don't play enough Test cricket and it shows. They do well in the shorter forms of the game, but when it comes to five-day cricket, they struggle. Their coach says it is going to be very tough and I think he's right. Stephen Fleming was the class batsman in their side and he's retired.

"I back Michael Vaughan's men to win 3-0... weather permitting!

On the question of bringing Flintoff back after a fourth ankle op, Lloyd says: "If he is fully fit he should be picked. But only if he's fully fit. His bowling gets him into a four-man attack. If I was coach I'd bat him at eight."

Asked how England managed to overlook in-form seamer Ryan Sidebottom for so long, Lloyd said succinctly: "Duncan Fletcher did not fancy him. It's as simple as that. Duncan got it wrong and he has admitted that since."

With the entire series being shown exclusively live on Sky Sports, Lloyd insists the lure of the IPL will never overwhelm fiveday-cricket, arguing "there will always be room for iconic Test series."

And he has no time for those who have defected to the Indian Twenty20 leagues despite being under contract. He said: "If I was under contract, I wouldn't go, simple as that. Some players are showing just how shallow they are."