If only Australia had known that tests had scientifically proved that English quick Stuart Broad lifted when sledged.

Instead they found out the hard way when the much maligned Broad (5-65) tore through their top order to reduce the hosts to 8-273 by stumps on day one of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.

Broad was always going to be public enemy No.1 after refusing to walk when playing a key innings in England’s first Ashes Test win at Trent Bridge in July.

Yet coach Darren Lehmann still felt compelled to later brand Broad a cheat and ask the Australian crowds to “get stuck into him” Down Under.

And the Gabba crowd duly delivered on Thursday.

There were boos, plenty of damning banners and the inevitable “Broad is a wanker” chant.

It was later revealed one bloke even smuggled a pig into the venue with claims it had “Broad” written on it but was arrested before he could release it onto the ground.

Little did they know it was all music to Broad’s ears.

“In our medical assessments the psychologist did tests on personality and said there were three guys in the side who would thrive properly on getting abuse – KP (Kevin Pietersen), myself and Matty Prior,” Broad said.

“So they picked a good man to go at.

“And there’s something about Ashes cricket that brings the best out of me.”

Broad provided more evidence that he revelled in a fight when he walked into the end-of-day press conference.

Tucked under his arm was the Brisbane News Corp paper that had needled him in the lead-up, even refusing to use his name on Thursday.

“A couple of mates had mentioned it (newspaper’s ribbing) but I saw this outside and it made me smile,” Broad said.

It remains to be seen how long the paper can maintain their stance after Broad’s day-one demolition job.

One wag later changed the Brisbane paper’s editor’s name to “Stuart Broad” on Wikipedia.

“So what are the Aussie papers going to say tomorrow,” tweeted former England paceman Matthew Hoggard.

But at first the ribbing seemed to take its toll.

Broad’s first ball was pulled to the boundary by big hitting David Warner – and called a no ball.

Only something special was going to silence the fired up crowd.

And Broad produced, at one stage boasting 4-38 off 11 overs.

“There was a bit of banter, but we had the best of it today,” Broad said.

Asked about being called “a word that rhymes with banker”, Broad said: “I am pleased my mum wasn’t in the stadium.

“But to be honest at one stage I was singing along. It gets in your head and you find yourself whistling it at the end of your mark.”

Broad added: “We almost feel like silent assassins on this trip.

“Just going under the radar focusing on what we had to do.

“Now we are here and in for the fight.”