A superb Josh Hazlewood (3-58) had earlier rolled through the opposition top order before a fiery exhibition of short-pitched bowling from Pat Cummins (3-61) and Nathan Lyon (3-68), becoming Australia’s equal third leading wicket taker of all time alongside Dennis Lillee, took care of the lower half, although not before a spirited half-century from Jonny Bairstow steered Joe Root's team to respectability.

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In what was effectively the first morning of the match due to Wednesday’s complete washout, Hazlewood made an immediate impact in his first Test since Sydney in the first week of January.

For more than seven months he had waited to play for his country again, through a serious back injury, then the disappointment of being snubbed for World Cup selection, then the unusual scenario of being handed an orange bib and the drinks as 12th man at Edgbaston.

Finally unleashed on Thursday at Lord’s as captain Tim Paine won the toss and decided to bowl first, he was intent on making up for lost time and cut a swath through England’s top order with exquisite line and length.

Under-pressure opener Jason Roy was cannon fodder, exiting for a third-ball duck after prodding at a ball that seamed away slightly and nicking it to Paine behind the stumps.

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In a dynamic opening spell from the Nursery End, Hazlewood then removed captain Joe Root lbw for 14 with a delivery that nipped slightly back up the slope and clattered into the England captain’s knee roll.

A third scalp came soon after lunch as Hazlewood got the ball swinging, enticing Joe Denly, on 30, into an edge that also flew to Paine.

Spilled catches from Usman Khawaja and the Australia captain, who put Burns down on 16 and 47 respectively both off the bowling of Peter Siddle, threatened to prove costly. Khawaja in particular would have been relieved when Bancroft made up for the blunders with a spectacular diving grab down low to his left at short leg as Burns, on 53, attempted to fend away a short one from Cummins.

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Siddle would be rewarded for his efforts as England’s middle order wobbled, having Jos Buttler (12) caught behind in the first over a new spell in the afternoon before Ben Stokes (13) looked all at sea against Lyon, trapped lbw trying to sweep the off-spinner.

At 6-138 England seemed there for the taking but Bairstow (52) and Chris Woakes (32) kept the hosts’ head above water.

Australia employed ruthless tactics to Woakes, who was subjected to a bouncer barrage from Cummins. Three balls after being smacked on the side of the helmet and undergoing a concussion assessment, another bumper took the smallest piece of his glove and once again landed in the gloves of Paine.

Archer got the same treatment, and was soon Cummins’ third victim, as did Broad, although he was sent packing by a straight one from Lyon that clattered into his leg stump via the edge of his bat. Lyon then drew level with Lillee as a garbage-time heave from Bairstow ended up in the hands of Khawaja at deep square leg.

Lyon’s 355 Test wickets now leave him behind only Shane Warne (708) and Glenn McGrath (563) among Australian bowlers.