Essex vs. Australia: Day 1 Takeaways from the Tour Match at Chelmsford

Australia's batsmen, well, nearly all of them, filled their boots on the opening day of their tour match against Essex at Chelmsford.

After being put in by the county side on the hottest day of the year so far, the tourists amassed 440 for six. 

Mitchell Marsh led the way with an unbeaten 136, while David Warner marked his first innings on the trip by hitting 94 from just 86 deliveries.

There were also half-centuries for Shane Watson (52) and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill, who made 78 before falling in the final over of the day.

So, what did we learn after Wednesday's action? Here are the takeaways as we look ahead to the Ashes.

Marsh states his case

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As written about prior to the game, bowling appeared to be the key factor when considering who will be Australia's all-rounder for the first Test in Cardiff.

Watson and Marsh are the two players vying for one spot, and the game against Essex could be seen as a shootout for selection.

In the aftermath of Australia's convincing victory over Kent on Sunday, coach Darren Lehmann said, per Daniel Brettig of ESPN Cricinfo, that it’s “going to be tight” between the pair.

Both scored runs against Essex's decidedly medium-paced attack. But while Watson fell for 52, Marsh went on to reach three figures.

He reached his second successive hundred of the tour in style, per ABC Grandstand:

The 23-year-old will be keen to impress with the ball, too, but he is making the selectors' decision as tough as possible with his batting form.

Watson, meanwhile, rather summed up his Test career with his innings. He reached his half-century with a flurry of boundaries yet, with a big score there for the taking, was bowled by Ryan ten Doeschate.

The veteran now needs to prove to Australia's management team that he's fit to bowl, having not sent down a single delivery in the previous fixture at Canterbury.

Captain sinks in the sun

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Michael Clarke was the one Australian batsman who did not reach double figures. In fact, he didn't even last more than one delivery.

The touring side's skipper would have been keen to enjoy more time in the middle, even though he made 56 and 47 against Kent.

Instead, however, the right-hander was caught down the leg side off the bowling of Tom Moore.

It was a disappointing way to get out for Clarke, who was batting in the unfamiliar position of three in the order with Steven Smith not selected.

Considering it is a four-dayer against Essex, and taking into account the current weather in England, the batsman should get another opportunity to bat.

Yet some on Twitter couldn't resist having a bit of fun at Clarke's expense:

Australia will just be happy to have Clarke fit to feature.

He missed the majority of the Test series against India last winter through injury, though returned in time to lead his country to glory in the Cricket World Cup on home soil.

Hopes of Harris surely over

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Ryan Harris was due to play against Essex, offering him another chance at the start of the tour to press his claims for a Test recall.

However, a knee injury scuppered the best-laid plans for Australia, with Peter Siddle stepping in to take his place in the XI to face Essex.

As reported by Chris Stocks of the Guardian, a Cricket Australia spokesman revealed the bowler had complained of soreness after getting through 30 overs of work against Kent.

Harris has had issues with the same knee before, though he missed the recent tour to the West Indies so he could remain at home for the birth of his first child.

He was Australia's leading wicket-taker on their last Ashes tour, taking 24 wickets in four Tests at an average of 19.58 in 2013.

Now, though, it is impossible to see how the selectors can risk him at the start of the upcoming series—after the opener in Cardiff, England and Australia have a short turnaround before resuming battle at Lord's.

Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc—the three pacemen who helped clinch a 2-0 series triumph in the Caribbean recently—seem certain starters in the first Test now.

Harris will have to rest up in the hope he can return to action in the tour match against Derbyshire, which takes place from July 23-25.