All-rounder Mitchell Marsh was booed twice on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Tuesday. 

The first loud booing began when Marsh was first introduced into the bowling attack and that behaviour by the Victorian crowd was clearly was to express displeasure about picking Marsh by dropping Peter Handscomb for the Boxing Day Test in his home state. 

Marsh's Aussie teammate Travis Head did not hesitate to slam the MCG crowd by labelling their behaviour on Wednesday as "poor" and disappointing. While visiting players might find themselves on the receiving ends of some boos, it was rare when an Australian player received the same treatment in a home Test.

"I don't think it's great. 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. I understand the Victorian crowd, Petey obviously missing out, but I think it's pretty poor for Mitchy to cop that," Head said.

According to media reports, a Facebook page was set up ahead of the Test which encouraged fans to boo Marsh, who coincidentally ended Day 1 as the most economical of Australia's bowlers as he conceded just 23 runs off his 15 overs. 

"I think Mitch is a character to get on with it. 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," head added. 

"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," Head said.