Australia struggle at Lord's

London - Australia battled hard throughout a shortened morning session on Tuesday as Pakistan exploited lingering moisture in the pitch and overcast conditions on the opening day of the first Test at Lord's.

At lunch Australia were 36 for one with Shane Watson back in the pavilion for four after an hour's play in which the ball repeatedly beat the bat.

The first Test in England between two overseas countries since the 1912 Triangular series started 90 minutes late after overnight rain left damp patches on the outfield.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, mindful of his inexperienced batting lineup in which Azhar Ali and Umar Amin were making their test debuts, responded to the conditions by asking Australia to bat after winning the toss.

His opening bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif fully justified his decision with late movement through the air and off the pitch.

Asif bowled beautifully, jagging the ball away late both ways from the Nursery End after Watson had driven him handsomely through extra-cover for the first boundary of the match.

Aamer was more erratic but the young left-armer made the breakthrough when he completely fooled Watson with a delivery which swung back sharply to the right-hander.

Watson left the ball which struck him in front of the stumps. He was given out lbw immediately by Ian Gould, a decision which was changed to bowled when the ball trickled on to the stumps and dislodged the bails.

Captain Ricky Ponting, taking a large stride to help nullify the swing, swung Aamer effortlessly behind square for four but he too was repeatedly rapped on the pads. After 40 minutes at the crease he had scored 14 while Simon Katich was on 11.