Six amateur cricketers came to Kent's rescue when team commitments and injuries left the county unable to provide the bowlers for Australia's net session.

The Kent League bowlers - Alex Lorimer (Bromley Common), Chris Rainger (Sevenoaks Vine), Darrell Carter, Andrew Tutt, James Thompson and James Cramp (all Hartley Country Club) - answered the distress call and bowled to the likes of Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke.

A spokesman for Kent said: "We were left with the unique situation of having too few bowlers available. The Aussie players looked in good spirits."

Australia were at St Lawrence ahead of the tour match against the England Lions.