Australia vs India: Mitch Marsh doesn’t deserve to be booed – Travis Head

Australia batsman Travis Head was “disappointed” after teammate Mitchell Marsh was booed by the sections of the crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the first day of the third Test against India.

Boos for Marsh began when Marsh’s name was announced on the public address system when he was handed the ball.

“I don’t think it’s great,” Head said. “Obviously we’ve seen it with Kohli as well but for Mitch, who worked his backside 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,” said Head after the first day.

It can be assumed that Mitchell Marsh received all the boos as he replaced local boy Peter Handscomb in the playing XI and Head added, “I understand the Victorian crowd, Petey obviously missing out, but I think it’s pretty poor for Mitchy to cop that.”

A report in ESPN Cricinfo stated that “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”.

But Head said that this hostile behaviour from the crowd didn’t have any effect on Marsh.

“I think Mitch is a character to get on with it,” he 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,” he added.

He nonetheless lauded Marsh for the spirit the West Australian all-rounder showed.

“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.”

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