Young Kent opener Daniel Bell-Drummond crafted a magnificent hundred before Australia wrapped up a 255-run win in the Ashes tour opener at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, on Sunday.

Bell-Drummond made 127 off 112 balls before he was leg before to Ryan Harris (2-59) as Kent were all-out for 294 after starting the day needing an improbable 550 to win.

The 21-year-old, who made a six-ball duck in the first innings, hit three sixes and 21 fours in what was the seventh hundred of his first-class career and third this season.

So well did Bell-Drummond bat, he scored 77 of the 93 runs he added for the fourth wicket with Ben Harmison (31).

He was particularly savage on Fawad Ahmed (2-74), smashing the leg-spinner for 18 in one over before going to his hundred with two consecutive sixes in Ahmed's following over.

And Bell-Drummond's performance wasn't lost on Michael Clarke, with the Australian captain shaking his hand before he walked off to a standing ovation from the small crowd.

Earlier, the tourists declared on their overnight score of 322-4, and with a massive lead of 549. Wicket-keeper Brad Haddin was 11 not out while Mitchell Johnson was on 27.

The Kent reply started well with Bell-Drummond and Joe Denly putting on 55 for the first wicket in only 61 balls before Peter Siddle (1-34) ended the promising partnership in comprehensive fashion.

Denly departed for 22 after having his middle stump removed by the paceman.

Rob Key, who top-scored in Kent's first innings with 87, was the next to go, and for the second time in the match, it was Ahmed who got him.

Key was caught at wide mid-on by a running Johnson for 14 after attempting to get after Ahmed in what was his second over of the day.

Captain Sam Northeast lasted seven balls before Mitch Marsh (1-28) struck, having him caught behind by Haddin for 11 with the score on 100.

Bell-Drummond and Harmison guided Kent into lunch at 118-3 before Bell-Drummond finally exited the stage on 193.

England representative Sam Billings went 10 runs later, caught in the gully by Shaun Marsh off Harris for three.

All-rounder Adam Ball came and went for one after smashing a full-toss from the occasional leg-spin of Steve Smith (3-54) straight down the throat of Siddle at deep square to leave Kent 220-6.

The long tail was now exposed but it was Harmison who perished next, caught by Harris after trying to sweep Smith for 31 with the score on 231.

Adam Riley lasted two balls before Johnson (1-29) had him caught at first slip by Shane Watson for 0.

But big quick Mitch Claydon was not about to go down without a fight, smashing two massive sixes and eight fours in his 27-ball 53 before he skied Smith to Rogers.

Ivan Thomas was Smith's third victim, caught by Shaun Marsh in the deep for a duck while Matt Hunn finished unbeaten on 15.

Kent are next in action on Friday in a NatWest T20 Blast South Group clash against Sussex at Hove (7pm).