Shaun Marsh marked Australia's opening match of their Ashes tour of England with a century against Kent at Canterbury on Thursday as he staked a claim to retain his Test place. Australia, having been sent into bat by Kent, were 236 for one at tea on the first day of this scheduled four-day clash. Marsh was 114 not out and Steven Smith, a former Kent 2nd XI player but now ranked as the world's number one Test batsman, 26 not out.
The only batsman dismissed in the innings so far was Chris Rogers, out for 84. Marsh replaced Rogers for Australia's recent 2-0 series win in the Caribbean after his fellow left-handed opener was concussed while batting in the nets and both batsmen are now vying for the opening berth alongside David Warner ahead of the first Test against England in Cardiff on July 8. Rogers found himself having to apologise on Wednesday after he unwittingly contravened ground regulations by trying to re-sell tickets for next month's second Test at Lord's as part of a hospitality package. But Rogers said the incident would not affect his cricket. "It has been a bit of a distraction, but the cricket starts tomorrow (Thursday) and I am pretty good at just getting on with it, so I am not too worried."