Second Test's first day washed out

Wet weather has delayed the start of the second Ashes Test at Lord's, where day one was entirely washed out.

The toss, originally slated for 7.30pm AEST on Wednesday, was pushed back until midnight AEST because of rain.

But the covers were rushed back into place as Australia and England's squads started to warm up and Tim Paine donned his blazer.

Play was abandoned soon after, ending an anticlimactic opening day at the home of cricket.

The pitch was blanketed with heavy covers throughout what should have been the morning session, during which the most encouraging sign was groundsmen sweeping water off them.

The showers eventually stopped and the covers came off as umpires scheduled the first pitch inspection for 11pm AEST.

The peeling back of the covers prompted coaches Justin Langer and Trevor Bayliss to rush out and have a close look at how the deck coped with the downpour.

The iconic venue is renowned for its efficient drainage, a combination of the 2.5-metre slope and work on the outfield completed in 2002, but persistent rain made it impossible to squeeze any play in.

Australia hold a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series, having won by 251 runs at Edgbaston thanks largely to two centuries from Steve Smith.

James Pattinson has been rested from the clash in London but the tourists are yet to confirm whether Josh Hazlewood or Mitchell Starc will claim his place in the XI.

England captain Joe Root is also yet to announce his team, but Jofra Archer is set to make his Test debut after close friend and England limited-overs quick Chris Jordan presented him with his cap on the outfield.

The hosts are weighing up whether to leave left-arm spinner Jack Leach on the sidelines and bank on an all-pace attack featuring Sam Curran instead.

Root suggested the prospect of losing a day to wet weather wouldn't influence England's selectors.

"You've got to keep an open mind and Test cricket is all about adapting anyway," Root said in his pre-match press conference.

"I'm sure that if the weather throws up some surprises or has a big say in things, we'll have to make sure we manage that well."

2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

England squad: Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes (vc), Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.

First Test: Australia beat England by 251 runs at Edgbaston

Second Test: August 14-18,Lord's

Third Test: August 22-26, Headingley

Tour match: Australians v Derbyshire, August 29-31

Fourth Test: September 4-8, Old Trafford

Fifth Test: September 12-16, The Oval