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imageCANTERBURY: Australia captain Michael Clarke gave an entertaining batting 'clinic' after deciding against enforcing the follow-on in the Ashes tour opener against Kent at Canterbury on Saturday.

At tea on the third day of four, Australia were 132 for two in their second innings -- a lead of 359 runs.

Shane Watson was 27 not out and Mitchell Marsh eight not out.

Earlier, Kent were dismissed for 280 in reply to Australia's first innings 507 for eight declared -- a deficit of 227 runs.

Left-arm fast bowler Johnson, who took three wickets on Friday, finished with figures of four for 56 in 18 lively overs.

Clarke then opted for more batting practice, promoting himself to open the tourists' second innings alongside Chris Rogers.

On a sun-drenched day, in front of a near-capacity crowd, Rogers and Clarke were largely untroubled during a first-wicket stand of 91 on a still good pitch before off-spinner Adam Riley struck twice to remove both batsmen.

Left-hander Rogers, who made 84 in the first innings, had got to 45 when, advancing to drive Riley, he got an outside edge and was caught at point.

Clarke was in sight of his second fifty in this match when, on 47, he lofted Riley straight to Ben Harmison, younger brother of former Ashes-winner Stephen, at long-on.

The Aussie skipper batted for 98 minutes and faced 60 balls including eight fours.

Kent, bottom of the Second Division of the County Championship, resumed Saturday on 203 for five.

Johnson had been the pick of Australia's attack in taking three wickets that belied the docile nature of the pitch.

But it was fellow paceman Ryan Harris, bidding to force his way into Ashes-holders Australia's attack for the first Test against England in Cardiff from July 8, who struck the first blow Saturday when he had Billings caught behind without adding to his overnight score.

Adam Ball, however, took the attack to Australia, but on 45, possibly carried away by his success, he hooked Harris (two for 51) to Peter Siddle at deep square leg.

Australia-born but England-qualified Mitchell Claydon, dropped on nine by diving wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off Siddle, then fell for 10 when medium-pacer Mitchell Marsh held a sharp caught and bowled chance.

Tailenders Matt Hunn (18 not out) and Ivan Thomas (13) hung in against Australia's spinners before the latter was caught at mid-on off leg-break bowler Fawad Ahmed to end the innings.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2015

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