Captain Michael Clarke is confident Australia will have found just the right balance by the time his side face England for the Ashes opener in Cardiff next month.

Australia head to Chelmsford for their warm-up match with Essex having enjoyed a productive four-day game against Kent in Canterbury.

The likes of opener Shaun Marsh and leading batsman Steve Smith both made hundreds, as did Mitchell Marsh, while there were also useful knocks for Chris Rogers and Shane Watson. With the ball, veteran quick Mitchell Johnson staked his claim with four wickets in the first innings, while seamer Ryan Harris also grabbed a couple.

Coach Darren Lehmann has again switched the XI around for the trip to Essex, admitting he had the "rough line-up" already in mind for July 8 at Sophia Gardens.

Australia have not won a series on English soil since 2001, but Clarke is confident the team will be just set when they walk out in Cardiff.

"There was a lot of positives that came out of the (Kent) game. First thing, we won, and that was really important for us as a team, to get out and get a first win in the UK," Clarke said. "Individually guys got what they needed as well.

"It is a good start and now we have the opportunity to play against Essex, hopefully with the same result.

"We are trying to work that perfect balance as a team leading up to that first Test, where I have always believed tour games are important to play to win to get some momentum and confidence, and then to get individuals a bat, for them to have a bowl.

"So you will have seen us change our batting order in the second innings, but our result was still what we wanted."

Clarke needs no reminding of what is at stake over the eagerly-anticipated five-match series this summer.

"It is a really exciting part of what comes with Ashes cricket; the build-up, the media, the public anticipation. I think that's great for any series," he said.

"Being an Australian player or an English player, Ashes at home or away, that's a big part of the package. It's great for the game but as a player you don't need to build up the Ashes.

"The public and the media are going to build it up for you, so for us it's about ensuring you are focused on what's important right now - and that's our preparation."

Opener David Warner sat out the Kent match, but will be at the head of the batting in Chelmsford, where Rogers, who scored 84 and 45 at the Spitfire Ground, will be out to cement his place in the Test XI, having missed the tour of the West Indies because of concussion.

All-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Watson are also set to stake their claim, while quicks Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood and Nathan Lyon will lead the attack for the tourists.