Mitchell Johnson, along with Travis Head criticized Victorian fans for abusing and heckling Mitchell Marsh during the opening day of the Boxing Day Test against India on Wednesday (December 26).

On Wednesday, Marsh brutally booed by the Victorian crowd on the field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), as the fans were not happy with Peter Handscomb being dropped for the all-rounder from the Australian playing XI for the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.

A section of the jam-packed crowd at MCG started booing Marsh when he came onto bowl on Wednesday morning, as the public was visibly disappointed to see the all-rounder was preferred over a local Victorian for the Boxing Day Test against India.

While Johnson termed Victorian fans’ behavior as disgusting, asking them to support Marsh instead of abusing him, batsman Head said he understands their sentiments, but any Australian cricketer in Australia doesn’t deserve to be booed here.

Taking to Twitter, Johnson wrote, “This is disgusting, agree with what Saker says. Marsh doesn't pick the teams, give him some support ffs & those that are saying it's banter, what a load of rubbish. Constant booing and abuse daily has an effect on people. And yes they get paid well but still no excuse to abuse.”

On the other hand, Australian fast bowling coach David Saker revealed that Marsh, who was the most economical of Australia's bowlers, conceding 23 runs off his 15 overs, was affected by the booing from fans.

He told ABC Grandstand, “It's disappointing. I know that Victorian cricket fans are passionate about Pete Handscomb but Mitch came into the change room at lunch and said that's not really how you want to get a reaction on Boxing Day.”

(With India Today Inputs)