Victory for Aussies in first tour game
Steve Smith was besmirched by Kent in the opening game of Australia’s Ashes tour.
Unfortunately for English fans it was Smith’s part-time legspin, not his incredible batting, that came unstuck as the visitors posted a 255-run victory in Canterbury.
Michael Clarke declared overnight at 4-322, setting Kent a target of 550 in the four-day fixture that long ago became a glorified practice session.
Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris were unable to strike with the new ball, while a rain break and Daniel Bell-Drummond’s 127 also frustrated the visitors.
Smith dismissed Ben Harmison and Adam Ball after the rain delay.
Neither delivery was much to write home about, but the part-time legspinner had figures of 2-13 from his three overs at tea.
Mitchell Claydon made a mess of them, hammering 21 runs off one over.
It merely delayed the inevitable.
Claydon holed out while trying to clear the rope against Fawad Ahmed, then Smith dismissed Ivan Thomas to complete the rout as the home side made 294.
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Australia next face county side Essex in Chelmsford, where national selectors will form a clearer view of the many challenging calls they must make before the Tests begin in Cardiff on July 8.
Openers Chris Rogers and Shaun Marsh were both among the runs against Kent and will be hard to separate.
Harris, Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood all have strong claims when it comes to the three pace berths.
Mitch Marsh, who smashed a fantastic century on day three in Canterbury, is also a chance of displacing Watson as the side’s allrounder.
– AAP
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