Marsh century pushes Test case

Shaun Marsh crafted a fine century, while Chris Rogers looked every bit as comfortable on day one of Australia's opening tour game in England.

The visitors reached 3-348 at stumps on the first day in Canterbury, with Marsh scoring 114 while opening spot rival Rogers fell 16 runs short of his 73rd first-class century.

Scoreboard: KENT v AUSTRALIA

Steve Smith was not out on 71, with Shane Watson cracking two blistering boundaries to be eight off 10 balls at stumps. Captain Michael Clarke posted a classy half-century of his own, hitting eight boundaries before he was strangled down the leg side on 56.

All three Australian wickets to fall on the opening day were claimed by 21-year-old right-arm quick Matt Hunn, who is playing just his fourth first-class game, and first of this summer.

National selectors face two quandaries before the Ashes start in Cardiff on July 8 - who should partner David Warner at the top of the order and which three quicks to pick.

The four-day clash with Kent is supposed to help, especially with the former.

Warner was rested, giving both candidates a chance to impress at the top of the order. Both did exactly that.

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Rogers hits out at St Lawrence // Getty Images

Rogers provided the only chance of the morning session while on 21, but the edge was put down by the slips cordon.

The 37-year-old was otherwise excellent, driving with aplomb and adopting the role of chief aggressor in the 181-run partnership with Marsh.

He was trapped lbw by Matt Hunn in the 51st over, but Marsh continued the assault.

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21-year-old Hunn celebrates a wicket // Getty Images

The left-hander reached triple figures off 172 balls as the hosts' ineffectual attack offered up too many loose balls on a lifeless pitch.

Kent's generosity started much earlier in Canterbury.

Captain Sam Northeast won the toss but opted to bowl on what looked a belter.

Rogers adopted the role of chief aggressor in the partnership, powering to 50 in 89 balls as he put this week's ticket saga behind him.

The left-hander was 53 at the meal break, while Marsh was 45.

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Smith passed fifty batting at No.3 // Getty Images

The pair are vying for the right to open alongside David Warner in Cardiff, where the Ashes start on July 8.

Rogers was sidelined during the recent two-Test series in the West Indies due to concussion, with Marsh stepping up the order in his place.

Warner was rested from the tour game against Kent, giving both candidates a chance to impress at the top of the order.

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Darren Lehmann signs autographs before play // cricket.com.au

Coach Darren Lehmann suggested runs in this tour game, plus the side's hit-out against Essex next week, could shape the selectors' decision.

"Players in form go a long way to ticking the boxes and getting in the side," coach Darren Lehmann told radio station SEN, when asked about the battle between Marsh and Rogers.

"So these two tour games are very important for the whole squad.

"They're not headaches as such, I think they're great debates.

"We've got such good depth now, so we've just got to pick the best XI for that particular game."

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Lyon meets the Kent fans // cricket.com.au

Rogers noted pre-match he was taking nothing for granted.

"It's going to be tough and I'm going to have learn my place back," the 37-year-old said.

Australia have rested bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, along with batsmen Warner and Adam Voges and backup wicketkeeper Peter Nevill for the first match of the tour.

Fast bowler Ryan Harris will also be eager to press his claims after Bupa Support Team head coach Darren Lehmann suggested selectors were leaning towards playing an unchanged bowling unit from the one which destoryed the West Indies two-nil last month.

Quick Single: Harris 'short of a gallop': Lehmann

Harris will be hopeful an impressive showing here against Kent, and possibly again against Essex next week, will be enough to sway the selectors' thinking.

Video: Australia focused on Kent tour match

Australian XI: Chris Rogers, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (c), Shane Watson, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Fawad Ahmed.

Kent: Sam Northeast (c), Daniel Bell-Drummond, Joe Denly, Rob Key, Ben Harmison, Adam Ball, Sam Billings (wk), Mitch Claydon, Matt Hunn, Adam Riley, Ivan Thomas.

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