Matt Walker believes playing against captain Michael Clarke’s world champions will provide Kent players with an unbelievable chance to put themselves on the world stage.

Kent face Australia in their Ashes tour opener, a four-day clash starting at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, today (Thursday, 11am).

Assistant coach Walker said: “Playing in the tour opener against the world champions – there are not many better opportunities for young players to showcase their talent against the best in the world.

“You just don’t know where a good performance against them could catapult you to – it would certainly put you on the radar.

“There is so much incentive for my players to perform well and I hope they grab it with both hands because the whole world will be watching.

“It is always a great challenge for any player to be up against an international side and it is a real test of skill and certainly something I am looking forward to seeing how the guys handle it.”

Australia arrive in Canterbury on the back of a 2-0 victory in the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy series against the West Indies in the Caribbean.

And with the first Ashes Test not far away on July 8, Walker is certain the tourists will be out to impress.

He said: “Competition for places in their side is always healthy so there will be no shortage of players itching to have a crack at us.

“It will be a tough four days but we’ll be fielding a pretty much full-strength side. It’s going to be a brilliant occasion for all involved at the club and we are all looking forward to it.”

Kent: Sam Northeast (captain), Daniel Bell-Drummond, Joe Denly, Rob Key, Ben Harmison, Adam Ball, Sam Billings, Mitch Claydon, Matt Hunn, Adam Riley, Ivan Thomas.

Australia: Chris Rogers, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Mitch Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Fawad Ahmed.

Tickets are still available and the price for an adult is £30 on the gate or £20 pre-buy via www.kentcricket.co.uk, with admission £10 on the final day.

Junior tickets are £5 pre-buy or £8 on the gate.