Mitchell Marsh booed by Australian crowd at MCG

The MCG crowd started booing Marsh once Marsh's name was announced on the public address system when he came onto bowl in the third Test against India.

In a rare scenario, a section of the crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground booed an Australian cricketer instead of the visiting team on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test match. The Australian cricketer under fire was all-rounder Mitchell Marsh.

Marsh replaced local boy Peter Handscomb in Australia’s playing XI which is till now their only change in the playing XI in the series. The decision did not go down well the MCG crowd, who obviously wanted their local boy Handscomb in action.

The MCG crowd started booing Marsh once Marsh's name was announced on the public address system when he came onto bowl in the third Test against India.

Australian batsman Travis Head was not impressed by the entire episode. "I don't think it's great," Head said after the end of the day’s play.

"Obviously we've seen it with Kohli as well but for Mitch, who worked his bum off today, I thought he bowled exceptionally well. I thought he created pressure in tough conditions and fought really hard. I don't think any Australian cricketer in Australia deserves to be booed," Head said at the end of the first day's play.

Mitchell Marsh did not pick up a wicket but did a fine job of holding one end up. He gave away only 23 runs in 15 overs. 

Head said that he understood the sentiments that Marsh was preferred over a Victorian.

"I understand the Victorian crowd, Petey obviously missing out, but I think it's pretty poor for Mitchy to cop that," he said.

According to a report in ESPN Cricinfo, "A Facebook page was set up ahead of the Test which encouraged fans to boo Marsh, who was the most economical of Australia's bowlers, conceding 23 runs off his 15 overs".

However, Head made it clear that Marsh is not affected by the crowd behaviour.

"I think Mitch is a character to get on with it," Head said.

"As he showed, he did his business, he did his work, he bowled exceptionally well, did the job that was needed for the team and that's what Mitch has always done.

"He's always been someone to get the energy around the group, lead from the front and I think he did that and in tough conditions to grab the ball and bowl the way he did was really good. He created a couple of chances as well," said Head.

He was disappointed that Marsh gave it his all but was still booed.

"I think the way he showed today, I think great team man, great fella, worked his backside off for the boys today and I think he did a wonderful job so yeah disappointing and hopefully that won't be the case for the next couple of days."