Hazlewood strikes at Lord's, England 2-76

Josh Hazlewood's superb opening spell set an upbeat tone for Australia but a dropped catch helped England to reach 2-76 at lunch on day two of the second Ashes Test.

Hazlewood, preferred ahead of Mitchell Starc after selectors decided to rest James Pattinson, delivered trademark control to dismiss Jason Roy and Joe Root at Lord's.

The recalled paceman's six-over spell cost just five runs; he stifled Root with dot-ball pressure after removing Roy for a third-ball duck as the hosts crashed to 2-26.

It was exactly what Tim Paine wanted, having opted to field first on Thursday after the opening day was washed out without a ball being bowled.

The same can't be said of Usman Khawaja's error at gully, which handed Rory Burns a reprieve on 16.

Khawaja misread a straightforward chance created by Peter Siddle, with the ball bouncing off his chest as Burns went on to reach 34 not out at the meal break.

Burns, fresh from a century in the series opener, will be keen to make the tourists pay a hefty price.

Khawaja and the slips cordon were standing closer to the batsmen than usual, with the ball not carrying through a decent height as pundits continued to debate whether Paine made the right call at the toss.

Paine wasted a review during an eventful opening session, which finished with Burns and Joe Denly passing a testing examination from Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

Denly was unbeaten on 27 at lunch, having survived a review on 11 when Paine quickly opted to refer a lbw shout from Nathan Lyon then wished he hadn't.

Ball-tracking replays confirmed the delivery was turning past leg stump.

Root was trapped lbw on 14, while Hazlewood also struck Denly's helmet and made a habit of beating the bat.

It has been two years since England's captain has scored a first-innings century.

Paine raised some eyebrows after winning the toss and electing to bowl, although counterpart Root admitted he would have done the same if given the chance.

"I would have batted first," Shane Warne said in commentary.

"It looks a pretty dry sort of surface ... I'd like to have seen England have to defend and survive Nathan Lyon (bowling on day five) on this pitch."

Left-arm spinner Jack Leach has claimed the final spot in England's team ahead of Sam Curran.