Australia have won the toss and will bat first as they seek to level the Ashes series.

Michael Clarke called the Lord’s wicket a “very good pitch”, while Alastair Cook admitted he also would have batted despite overcast conditions on Thursday.

As expected, Australia made two changes to the XI that suffered a 169-run thumping in the first Test, inside four days.

Brad Haddin (family reasons) and Shane Watson (dropped) have been replaced by debutant Peter Nevill and Mitch Marsh.

Nevill, who will become Australia’s 33rd Test wicketkeeper, was presented his baggy green by Steve Waugh.

Nevill is coming off his strongest Sheffield Shield season for NSW, having won the Steve Waugh medal awarded to the state’s best player.

Moeen Ali was retained by England despite suffering a minor side strain in Cardiff.

A report in The Guardian suggested England management wanted to rest Ali, however uncapped legspinner Adil Rashid declared himself unfit to play due to a finger injury.

Ali was one of England’s star performers in the first Test, scoring 77 in the first dig and taking five wickets in the match.

Australia: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (capt), Adam Voges, Mitch Marsh, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon

England: Alastair Cook (capt), Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson AAP rf/wd