England paceman Stuart Broad was able to laugh off the boos he
received from Australian fans on the first day of the Ashes after he
took 5-65 as the hosts were reduced to 273-8 in Brisbane.
“I actually really enjoyed it if I’m honest,” Broad told BBC Sport.
“I braced myself to expect it, and I think I coped well – I was
singing along at one stage.
“We could have bowled them out cheaper, but those wickets at the end
have put us in a great position.”
Broad has been handed the role of England’s pantomime villain for this
series down under ever since he chose not to walk in the first Test at
Trent Bridge back in July.
Australia coach Darren Lehmann gave a radio interview in August in
which he called Broad a “blatant cheat”, hoped the Aussie fans “give
it to him from the word go”, and ended by saying “I hope he cries and
goes home”.
Broad said on Thursday: “I’m pleased my mum wasn’t here, but I don’t
give it the time of day. We don’t read the papers, it doesn’t spur me
on, and you don’t need any more inspiration than playing for your
country.
“In our medical assessments our psychologists said three players would
thrive on abuse – me, Matt Prior and Kevin Pietersen. Ashes cricket
brings the best out of me.
“As a team we don’t focus on the opposition. We’ve been like silent
assassins on this trip going about our business, and it’s a relief to
start the series well.”
After being booed when his name was announced, Broad’s first delivery
was a no-ball which was hit for four, but he picked up the first four
wickets, removing Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, captain Michael Clarke
and David Warner, before returning to break a century stand between
wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson, who became his fifth
victim.
“I didn’t bowl too well in the morning session, my first few overs
weren’t the best but getting Pup [Clarke] out gave me a lift,”
continued Broad, who has dismissed the Aussie skipper in six of his
last eight Test innings.
“I wouldn’t say I have a hold over him – he’s obviously their star man
and his record is phenomenal. The key was getting him in early enough
with a hard enough ball to make that plan work.
“Haddin and Mitch played well, but if we can get through the new ball
when we bat we can build a big score.”
Johnson, who scored 64 and added 114 for the seventh wicket with
vice-captain Haddin, who finished unbeaten on 78, did his best to be
positive and play down Australia’s top-order collapse.
“It’s not frustrating, it’s an opportunity. We fought back hard and
we’re looking forward to bowling,” Johnson told BBC Sport.
“We obviously don’t want to be in that situation too often, but I
enjoyed batting with Brad, he’s very important and has always done a
terrific job with the bat and gloves.
“I think the position that we’re in is par but we have to assess the
situation. Tomorrow morning, we want 300 plus and we think that’s a
really good score.”
Of Clarke’s dismissal, he said: “You want your captain to stand up and
be the one that scores the runs but he’s not always going to do that,
and we have more than one good player in this team.
“It was obviously a plan to Clarke from Broad, something that Michael
needs to keep working on. He’s been working hard in the nets and I’ve
seen him play the short stuff really well.
“Broad bowled very well this morning and used the short ball at the
right time.” – BBC Sport
