'One of the greats': Steve Smith 'embarrasses' England with incredible Ashes century

Steve Smith has picked up where he left off, brushing aside Edgbaston's barbs and boos to produce one of his "best hundreds" while lifting Australia to a total of 284 on day one of the first Ashes Test.

England reached 0-10 at stumps, surviving two overs after Smith's superb knock of 144.

Smith, as was so often the case prior to the Cape Town cheating scandal, looked to be batting on a different pitch to teammates as Stuart Broad ignited collapses of 3-33 and 5-23 in Birmingham.

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Australia crumbled to 8-122 before Smith, who successfully reviewed his lbw dismissal to Broad on 34 in the 34th over, landed counter-punches with help from Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon.

David Warner and Cameron Bancroft both fell to Broad cheaply but Smith excelled in his Test comeback after a year-long ban, starting cautiously then teeing off as the tiring bowlers ran out of ideas.

There were some boos for Smith upon reaching three figures, a milestone he achieved by pushing a Ben Stokes delivery through the covers and to the rope.

However, plenty of supporters in the sold-out crowd stood and applauded Smith's 24th Test ton that triggered emotive scenes on Thursday.

"I didn't really know what to do to be honest, it's been a long time coming," Smith said of his century celebrations.

"I just saw the boys going berserk on the balcony ... to get to my hundred and give him (Lyon) really big hug and let all my emotions out, that was really special.

"Really proud that I was able to help pull the team out of a little bit of trouble.

“It has got to be one of my best hundreds, definitely."

Smith noted the occasion, coupled with the fact batting was such hard work early on, put it in such a bracket.

"I didn't want to give my wicket up easily, I wanted to keep fighting," he said.

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Smith's innings will be written up as redemptive but in terms of the match it was monumental, especially given Jimmy Anderson tweaked his troublesome calf and may not roll his arm over again in this Test.

Smith, who eventually became Broad's fifth victim when bowled, and Siddle put on Australia's highest ninth-wicket stand in more than seven years.

Smith was on 85 when Moeen Ali snapped the 88-run partnership with Siddle's wicket.

The former skipper and Lyon added 74 runs for the final wicket, with Stokes' frustration showing as he struggled for control while Smith started to score far more freely.

“I had everyone on the boundary and he still hit me for four at one stage," Broad said.

"He finds awkward gaps and seems to score runs without taking too many risks.

"So for us to win this Ashes series, we're going to have to get him out early."

Lyon (12 not out), Siddle (44), Travis Head (35) and Usman Khawaja (13) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures, underlining how much Australia will have Smith to thank should they snatch a 1-0 series lead.