Broad high on boos in Ashes

England bowler picks up five Australia wickets on day one

BRISBANE: England's Stuart Broad hit back at booing fans with a devastating five-wicket haul Thursday but Brad Haddin's fighting knock kept Australian hopes alive in a compelling start to the Ashes Tests.

Wicket-keeper Haddin and Mitchell Johnson came to the rescue after Broad, loud boos ringing in his ears at Brisbane's Gabba ground, ripped through Australia's top order on day one.

The pair combined in a counter-punching 114-run stand for the seventh wicket before the outstanding Broad bowled Johnson with the second new ball for his fifth wicket of the innings.

Just before stumps, Australia lost another wicket when Peter Siddle was caught in the slips for seven off James Anderson.

At the close, Australia were 273 for eight and well short of what skipper Michael Clarke would have expected after winning the toss, with Haddin unbeaten on 78 and Ryan Harris not out four.

Broad unconcerned by bad-boy image

Broad, who was vilified in the build-up to the series for not walking at a key moment during the summer's Ashes Tests in England, was unconcerned at his bad-boy image.

"We don't read the papers in the dressing room so I haven't been aware of too much, but it doesn't spur me on,” said Broad. "To be able to come here and pick up wickets like I did today and as a team to stamp our authority on the series like we have today, that's all we're here for."

The boos rang out when Broad, branded a ‘smug Pommy cheat’ by a local newspaper, stepped up to bowl but he quickly snared opener Chris Rogers for one in his second over.

Broad also accounted for Shane Watson (22) just before lunch, and he then took the prized scalp of Australian skipper Michael Clarke in the second over after the first break.

Opener David Warner had smashed Broad's first ball of the day for four but his determined innings ended with a whimper as he became the tall quick's fourth victim just short of his half-century.

The innings continued to unravel for Australia and debutant George Bailey edged Anderson to Alastair Cook for three, leaving the home side 100 for five in the 36th over.

Steve Smith looked effective with his unconventional shot-making, but perished when he sparred at Chris Tremlett away from his body and was caught by Cook at slip for 31.