England captain Alastair Cook won the toss with blue and sunny skies above Lord's promising seemingly ideal conditions for batting.
Yet England were soon 28 for three with Cook, opening partner Joe Root and dangerman Kevin Pietersen all out cheaply.
At lunch England -- who won a thrilling first Test by 14 runs at Trent Bridge on Sunday -- had recovered to 80 for three.
Jonathan Trott was 34 not out and Ian Bell, who scored a superb hundred in Nottingham, 23 not out with the Warwickshire duo's partnership so far worth 52.
After two loose overs from James Pattinson, Australia captain Michael Clarke brought on all-rounder Shane Watson -- a man with whom he is at loggerheads according to court papers lodged by sacked former Australia coach Mickey Arthur made public this week.
