Johnson strikes early on Australia's Ashes tour

Mitchell Johnson gave England a reminder of what they can expect in the upcoming Ashes series by taking a wicket with just his sixth ball during Australia's tour opener against Kent in Canterbury on Friday.

Left-arm fast bowler Johnson was one of England's chief tormentors with 37 wickets at under 14 apiece as Australia completed a 5-0 home Ashes whitewash in 2013/14.

And bowling at decidedly sharp pace, he had Kent's Daniel Bell-Drummond lbw with a full-length delivery off the last ball of the opening over of the hosts' first innings.

But Kent, bottom of the Second Division in England's County Championship, fought back well to be 72 for one at tea on the second day of four.

Joe Denly was 32 not out and Rob Key, a former England Test batsman, 38 not out.

Earlier, Steven Smith showed just how far he had come in eight years with a century in Australia's first innings 507 for eight declared.

Meanwhile 21-year-old Kent paceman Matt Hunn completed a notable maiden five-wicket haul, in just his fourth first-class match, on his way to figures of five for 99 in 27 overs.

In 2007, the teenage Smith played a handful of matches for Kent's 2nd XI and spent the season with local club side Sevenoaks Vine, where he was viewed as a hugely promising leg-spinner who could also bat.
Roll on to 2015 and Smith is now ranked as the world's leading Test batsman, with an average of over 56.

Australia, who had been sent into bat, resumed on 348 for three after openers Mitchell Marsh (114) and Chris Rogers (84), vying for a place alongside the rested David Warner come the first Test against England in Cardiff on July 8, as well as captain Michael Clarke (56) had all spent time in the middle.

Smith was 71 not out and fellow all-rounder Shane Watson unbeaten on eight.

The only time Smith looked in any trouble was on 99 when he charged down the pitch to Australia-born seamer Mitchell Claydon and missed with an expansive drive.

However, he soon whipped Claydon off his pads and beyond the mid-wicket rope to complete a 151-ball hundred featuring 11 fours and a six.

That shot came amidst a run of three successive fours before the 26-year-old Smith, who could have represented England through his English-born mother, decided he had had enough batting and walked off.

Watson, however, fell for a modest 21 when well caught by Denly at backward point off Hunn.

And the right-arm fast-medium bowler had a fifth wicket when he dismissed Mitchell Marsh (30) with a swinging delivery that uprooted the off-stump.

Brad Haddin (35) was well caught at slip by Adam Ball after edging an intended drive against off-spinner Adam Riley before the exit of Ryan Harris, caught by diving wicket-keeper Sam Billings off Ball, prompted Clarke's declaration.
Source: AFP