'Should be ashamed': Outrage over 'disgusting' reaction to Steve Smith century

English fans have drawn the ire of the rest of the cricketing world after some savage treatment of Steve Smith on the opening day of the Ashes.

Smith picked up right where he left off on day one at Edgbaston, brushing aside some awful barbs and boos to produce one of his "best hundreds" while lifting Australia to a total of 284.

Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were all booed as they entered and left the field of play on Thursday, England fans not eager to let them forget their ball-tampering shame.

All three were playing their first Test matches since being banned for their roles in the sandpaper scandal in South Africa.

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The boos for the trio were widely expected, however the reaction to Smith’s incredible century left fans shocked.

As the former Aussie captain reached triple figures, boos somewhat drowned out the cheers in unsavoury scenes at Edgbaston.

He was also booed when he reached 50, and as he raised the bat to the crowd as he was making his way from the field at the conclusion of his innings.

To boo an unpopular player as they walk out to bat is fairly commonplace in cricket (Stuard Broad in Australia for example), but to jeer their milestone moments is quite rare.

The nasty scenes were widely condemned by fans around the world:

English fans also donned masks of Smith crying - a reference to his emotional breakdown when he faced the media in Australia following the scandal in South Africa.

Some also brandished sandpaper at the players after they were dismissed.

And it wasn’t just the fans, with the UK press also savaging Smith.

Smith’s knock rescues Australia

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.

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.

Warner and 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.

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.

with AAP