Aussie fans will target England quick Stuart Broad, says Mike Hussey

IN every Ashes series there is a villain and that is the burden England speedster Stuart Broad will have to shoulder entering the First Test on Thursday.

England's Stuart Broad will be public enemy No.1. Picture: Greg Wood

IN every Ashes series there is a villain and that is the burden England speedster Stuart Broad will have to shoulder entering the First Test at the Gabba on Thursday.

Australian cricket fans have sharp memories and won't forget in a hurry Broad's decision not to walk in the First Test at Trent Bridge earlier this year.

He's also had a bit to say off the field and Kevin Pietersen's convict jibe aside, he'll cop the most from the other side of the pickets.

There is no doubt Broad nicked West Australian spinner Ashton Agar to slip in Nottinghamshire, but I don't blame him for standing his ground.

It's the umpire's job to give him out and believe me, you are dismissed plenty of times in your career when you are not out, so it's OK to adopt a "swings and roundabouts" ­policy.

Ask every Aussie batsman what they would do and I have no doubt many would choose not to walk.

Despite his image, Broad isn't a big sledger out in the middle.

He's very good at making eye contact and giving you the once-over.

But he leaves the talking to Graeme Swann and Jimmy Anderson.

Jimmy just chips away all day, trying to provoke a reaction. He once called me Dave for an entire session, a reference to my brother.

I played with Swann in county cricket and he would always try to get me talking, knowing it was my preferred policy to not bite and just get on with the job. Wicketkeeper Matty Prior is probably the most vocal out there.

For the Aussies, Shane Watson and Davey Warner are the two most likely to engage in the sledging out in the middle. Watto doesn't mind having a go back when someone has a crack at him and Davey won't take a backward step.

I'm happy for any batsman to get involved as long as it doesn't take his mind off the job and in Watto and Davey's case, both seem to thrive on it.

Back to the series, and captain Alastair Cook stands in the way of the Aussies regaining the little urn.

Wickets with the new ball will be crucial.

If the Aussie quicks can get rid of Cook early it will expose the middle order while the Kookaburra is new and hard.

Pietersen, Ian Bell and Joe Root can be dangerous, particularly when the pitch is flat and there isn't a lot going on, so it really is crucial they get Cook early and have a look at that trio.

The problem is Cook is so good at getting through new ball.

England's tactics will be for Cook and fellow opener ­Michael Carbery to blunt the Aussie attack early, so don't expect any flamboyant strokes from them in their first session.

On the other hand England will be nervous about Australia's top three.

A confident Watson and Warner spells danger and Chris Rogers can do his bit by digging in.

Both Warner and Watson are capable of scoring 100 in a session.

The Aussies are hungry and haven't lost at the Gabba since 1988 so their confidence is not blind.