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Johnson three puts doubters to rest

On a lifeless pitch Johnson bowled with fire and pace to silence questions on his form

Mitchell Johnson picked up three wickets in just reward for continued effort on a featherbed pitch to put Kent on the back foot and silence any doubters about Johnson's form ahead of the Ashes series.

Scorecard: KENT v AUSTRALIANS

Johnson trapped Daniel Bell-Drummond lbw with his sixth delivery after the innings break on day two in Canterbury to leave Kent 1-0 and still 507 in arrears.

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Johnson took a wicket in the first over // Getty Images

The left-armer regularly threatened in his five-over opening spell, but Rob Key and Joe Denly added 81 for the second wicket.

Ryan Harris bowled a seven over spell with the new ball but couldn't find a breakthrough. 

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Johnson celebrates dismissing Bell-Drummond // Getty Images

It was Peter Siddle, widely tipped as the fifth bowler in the Australian team's pace pecking order, who extracted the second wicket. He had Denly (36) caught behind by Brad Haddin after the batsman bottom-edged an attempt at a pull shot.

Johnson returned for fire and brimstone spell in the final session that had Kent's batsmen on the hop. Kent skipper Sam Northeast, who had generously opted to bowl after winning the toss, gloved one behind to Haddin on 25. 

Fawad Ahmed then chipped in to have Rob Key caught at mid-wicket by Shaun Marsh, sweet revenge for the leg-spinner after Key had hit him for 6-4-4 in the previous three deliveries.

Johnson then claimed his third when he ripped through the defences of Ben Harmison, beating the batsman for sheer pace.

Kent reached stumps on the second day at 5-203, with recent England limited-overs call-up Sam Billings surviving the remainder of Johnson's overs to reach safety on 24, alongside Adam Ball (21). 

Johnson finished with 3-42 from 13 overs, while Siddle had 1-32 from 11 and Ahmed 1-59 from 11.

Harris conceded 39 runs in his 11 wicketless overs, while Mitchell Marsh bowled six overs for 29 runs. Shane Watson was not used by captain Michael Clarke and Steve Smith bowled the final over of the day.

Clarke had declared at 8-507 shortly after lunch on Friday, after Smith had extended his incredible run of form onto England's shores.

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Smith hit 111 before retiring // Getty Images

Smith reached three figures in 151 balls before retiring to ensure his colleagues got a decent hit in the lead-up to the first Test.

However, allrounders Shane Watson and Mitch Marsh couldn't cash in on a lifeless deck.

Watson fell for 21, victim of a brilliant catch by Denly at point.

Marsh could have added further intrigue to the selection debate regarding the first Test in Cardiff, which starts on July 8.

The 23-year-old powered to 30 in 26 balls, but his stumps were then rearranged by paceman Matt Hunn.

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Marsh is bowled by Hunn // Getty Images

Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson shared a 60-run stand then the innings finally ended when Ryan Harris was caught behind on nine.

This four-day clash is Harris's first competitive fixture since January.

The veteran quick was rested from the second half of the Sheffield Shield season then skipped the West Indies tour due to the birth of his first child.

Harris shared the new ball with Johnson, but struggled for consistency early.

He had figures of 0-27 from seven overs at the end of the second session.

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

On day one, Shaun Marsh crafted a fine century on day one to stake a claim to return the opener's berth he held in the West Indies. Marsh hit 114 before falling shortly after tea, while Rogers made 84 and looked every bit as comfortable until he was given out LBW.

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 Hunn, who is playing just his fourth first-class game, and first of this summer.

Video: Day one highlights from Kent

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.

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.

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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