Australians v Kent
Wisden's review of Australians v Kent
15-Apr-2016
At Canterbury, June 25-28. Australians won by 255 runs. Toss: Kent.
The Australians claimed a convincing victory, though not before Hunn's maiden five-for and a stunning 92-ball century from Bell-Drummond had given the crowd, which totalled more than 13,000 over four days, something to shout about. Shaun Marsh and Steve Smith hit carefree hundreds in Australia's 507 for eight, while Rogers and Clarke joined in. The total might have been even higher but for Hunn's five for 99. Johnson then had a useful workout: his four wickets helped restrict Kent's reply to 280, as Key top-scored with 87. "I was happy I could still see a ball bowled at that sort of pace," he said. Despite a lead of 227, Australia batted again, allowing Watson - promoted to No. 3 - and Mitchell Marsh, with a 93-ball hundred, to fill their boots. Clarke's second declaration set Kent 550. After a duck on day two, Bell-Drummond made amends with a magnificent 127, denting leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed's figures, and admitting: "I really don't know how I did that." Harris opened the bowling in both Kent innings, but a chronic knee injury meant this was his final first-class game; his retirement was not announced until the last day of the next match, against Essex.
The Australians claimed a convincing victory, though not before Hunn's maiden five-for and a stunning 92-ball century from Bell-Drummond had given the crowd, which totalled more than 13,000 over four days, something to shout about. Shaun Marsh and Steve Smith hit carefree hundreds in Australia's 507 for eight, while Rogers and Clarke joined in. The total might have been even higher but for Hunn's five for 99. Johnson then had a useful workout: his four wickets helped restrict Kent's reply to 280, as Key top-scored with 87. "I was happy I could still see a ball bowled at that sort of pace," he said. Despite a lead of 227, Australia batted again, allowing Watson - promoted to No. 3 - and Mitchell Marsh, with a 93-ball hundred, to fill their boots. Clarke's second declaration set Kent 550. After a duck on day two, Bell-Drummond made amends with a magnificent 127, denting leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed's figures, and admitting: "I really don't know how I did that." Harris opened the bowling in both Kent innings, but a chronic knee injury meant this was his final first-class game; his retirement was not announced until the last day of the next match, against Essex.