Daniel Bell-Drummond hits superb century but Australia beat Kent in Ashes warm-up

Australia have beaten Kent by 255 runs in the first match of their 2015 summer Ashes tour at the Spitfire Ground in Canterbury.

Having declared at the start of the day on their overnight score of 322-4, the tourists set about protecting a formidable 549-run lead and claimed their first wicket as Peter Siddle comprehensively bowled opener Joe Denly for 22.

Rob Key was next to walk after he was caught by Mitchell Johnson off spinner Fawad Ahmed, with Kent reduced to 100-3 when Sam Northeast edged behind to Brad Haddin.

Daniel Bell-Drummond proved a considerable nuisance for Michael Clarke's side by smashing an excellent century from just 92 deliveries, but he was finally dislodged for 127 after being trapped lbw by Ryan Harris.

After a rain delay disrupted proceedings for a short time, Sam Billings was removed for three and Adam Ball was gone soon afterwards after being caught by Siddle off Steve Smith.

Ben Harmison and Adam Riley both fell in quick succession, the latter for a duck, to leave Kent struggling at 233/8 and an emphatic victory for the visitors was confirmed after tea when an exciting innings from Mitchell Claydon was ended by a catch from Chris Rogers and Ivan Thomas became Smith's third dismissal of the day.

Australia travel to Chelmsford next for another four-day contest against Essex. The first Ashes test with England begins on 8 July at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.