Kent will face the touring Australian team in the first match of the Ashes summer in 2015, it was revealed on Monday morning.

Australia will visit Canterbury for a four-day match at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, from Thursday, June 25 until Sunday, June 28, in a fixture which delighted Kent chief executive Jamie Clifford described as ‘like our Test match.’

Mr Clifford said: “The county has a long history of tour matches against Australia dating back to 1882 and many members have vivid memories of Don Bradman playing here in 1948, when 19,000 attended the first day and 23,000 the second.

“It will be six years since the Australians last visit to Canterbury, when they played the England Lions in 2009, and we know this is going to be very popular with the Kent public.”

Mr Clifford added: “This is a great announcement at the start of the week when the Kent Spitfires will be playing the current ICC World T20 Champions, Sri Lanka, in a 50-over match on Friday night.”

Mr Clifford revealed the club had already begun discussions regarding additional seating at the ground to deal with the expected demand for tickets.

Meanwhile Australian captain Michael Clarke wants to see Canterbury's stands filled with green and gold.

He said: "Last summer at home the crowds got right behind us and it really spurred us on.

“It was an unbelievable feeling to have so many people behind us. To capture some of that support and have as much green and gold at grounds across the UK next year when we are playing on foreign soil would be a major bonus.

“We know there are plenty of Australians in the UK... in return for the support, we’re determined to play attacking and entertaining cricket.”

New Zealand will also return to the UK for a two-Test and limited overs tour in May and June 2015 before the arrival of Australia.

Five Ashes Tests will follow at Cardiff, Lord’s, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and The Oval as England seek to regain the Ashes which they lost Down Under last winter, and make it four successive home Ashes series wins, dating back to 2005.

There will also be a One-Day and t20 series against the Baggy Greens.

ECB Chief Executive David Collier said: “Next summer promises to be a hugely exciting international season with England’s bid to regain the Ashes set to be one of the major highlights of the sporting year.

“We’re also delighted to be hosting New Zealand again across all three formats of the international game and would like to thank all those county and international venues who will be hosting our touring teams next year.”