Thursday, 15 August 2019:

JOSH HAZLEWOOD

Josh Hazlewood has backed up words with actions, taking just three deliveries at Lord's to highlight Jason Roy's struggle transitioning from white-ball whacker to Test opener.

Hazlewood, playing his first Test since suffering a serious back injury in January, roared with delight after Roy was out edging for a duck.

The right-armer also claimed the prized scalp of Joe Root during an impressive opening spell in which he demonstrated great control, having replaced rested paceman James Pattinson in Australia's XI.

Roy, who started Thursday's unconvincing stint at the crease by wafting at a wide ball from Hazlewood, will be under immense pressure to retain his spot should he fail again in the second Ashes Test.

Pundits were already calling for change after the first Test, mainly because of the ungainly fashion in which he was clean bowled by Nathan Lyon on day five.

This Ashes contest has lacked spite and scraps but Hazlewood's pre-series comments about Roy raised some eyebrows in England.

Roy, whose quick-fire 85 in the World Cup semi-final helped England crush Australia, is the latest Test opener England have trialled since Alastair Cook's retirement.

Hazlewood last month likened Roy's challenge to that of Australia's one-day captain Aaron Finch, adding he was "pretty happy" to see the hosts send out a nightwatchman opener in place of Roy during his Test debut.

Roy fired back that "simple words" wouldn't affect him, noting Hazlewood had made him feel part of an Ashes series without facing a single ball.

"He's correct in saying that Test cricket is hard. He's just stating the obvious," Roy said.

Roy scored 72 against Ireland but has since found the step up to Test cricket difficult, as Hazlewood predicted.

The 29-year-old scored 10 and 28 at Edgbaston, where his second-innings dismissal to Lyon derailed England's hopes of salvaging a draw.

"He's one of those guys who will put pressure back on bowlers," Root said after the first Test.

"It's really important that when he gets other opportunities further down the line in this series, he continues to keep trying to put pressure back on Australia."

AAP