Mitchell Marsh was booed by sections of the MCG crowd on day one of the Boxing Day test between Australia and India.

Former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has labelled the booing of Mitchell Marsh as "disgusting" after sections of the MCG crowd voiced their displeasure at the all-rounder's recall for the Boxing Day test.

Marsh incurred the wrath of some of the 73,516 fans that attended day one of the third test between Australia and India on Wednesday.

Victorian Peter Handscomb was axed to accommodate Marsh, who delivered 15 overs on the opening day and offered Australia's pacemen much-needed relief on the docile drop-in pitch.

GETTY IMAGES Former Australian quick Mitchell Johnson labelled the booing of Marsh disgusting.

Marsh was booed at the start of his first and second spells by the Melbourne crowd and Johnson said there was "no excuse to abuse".

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"This is disgusting, agree with what [David] Saker says. Marsh doesn't pick the teams, give him some support & those that are saying it's banter, what a load of rubbish," the 37-year-old tweeted on Thursday.

"Constant booing and abuse daily has an affect on people. And yes they get paid well but still no excuse to abuse."

Johnson, who retired from international cricket in 2015, was taunted by sections of the English fans during England's Ashes triumph in Australia in the summer of 2010/11 and he was dropped from the test team, but the fiery left-hander later won his place back.

Australia's players picked up on Marsh's unwelcome reception and batsman Travis Head said it was out of line.

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 affect on people. And yes they get paid well but still no excuse to abuse https://t.co/xjP7kuvJBk — Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) December 26, 2018

"It was pretty poor for Mitch to cop that," Head said after stumps on the first day. "I don't think it's great. As he showed today, he's a great team man. Great fella.

"He worked his backside off for the boys, did a wonderful job. It's disappointing, hopefully that won't be the case for the next couple of days."

Australian assistant coach Saker echoed Head's sentiments.

GETTY IMAGES Marsh aided Australia's pace attack on a tough first day for the bowlers.

"It's disappointing. I know that Victorian cricket fans are passionate about Pete Handscomb but Mitch came into the changing rooms at lunch and said that's not really how you want to get a reaction on Boxing Day."

Pantomime villains like Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis and Stuart Broad have been booed by Australian crowds in recent years but it's far more unusual for Australian cricketers to be treated with such disdain at home.

Added Head: "I don't think any Australian cricketer in Australia deserves to get booed."

Head also previously suggested, during the first Test in his hometown of Adelaide, that fans were wrong to boo Kohli.

GETTY IMAGES Travis Head said it was poor for the crowd to boo Marsh.

Michael Clarke was notably booed by fans at the Gabba in 2011, at which point he was serving as stand-in skipper while Australia reeled from a rare Ashes series loss at home.

"Obviously you would like people to be cheering but I can understand why a few of them are booing," Clarke said after leading Australia to victory in that ODI against England.

"I haven't performed as well as I would like. So I don't blame the public for being disappointed with my performances."

Head noted Marsh was not affected by the noise.

"Mitch is a character who gets on with it. He bowled exceptionally well."

– AAP with additional reporting from Stuff