Mike Atherton hails 'lanky' Broad for boosting England on opening day of Gabba Test

Former England cricketer Michael Atherton has hailed bowler Stuart Broad for thriving on his 'public enemy' status after bowling his side and Ashes-holders England into a strong position on the opening day of the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on Thursday.

Broad, jeered by home fans at the Gabba following his refusal to 'walk' in the first Ashes Test in England this year, took five for 65 and restricted the hosts, who won the toss, to 273 for eight.

According to Sport24, the former England captain said that the Australian media would have a difficult job writing a match report without mentioning Broad's name as he is a player who takes such treatment in his stride, adding that he had a great day as he is not easily intimidated nor ignored.

Atherton and another former England captain Andrew Strauss praised the way Broad dismissed home skipper Michael Clarke for just one with a short ball which the star batsman could only fend tamely to short leg, with Atherton saying he believes that Clarke struggles against the taller Broad.

The report mentioned that the lanky Broad dismissed Clarke five times during England's 3-0 home Ashes series win this year.

According to Atherton, Clarke does not like to duck or finds it difficult to duck, because of his bad back and prefers to stand and play the short ball, for which he gets into difficulties when he is facing a tall bowler who can get steep bounce from not that short of a length.