Australia coach blames 'lack of confidence' for shoddy fielding at MCG

Australian coach and selector Darren Lehmann believes that his team displayed a shoddy fielding performance on account of lack of confidence during the Melbourne Test against India despite having a good practice session.

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Australia drew the third Test in Melbourne with India, sealing the four-match series 2-0. 

Australia declared on 318-9 at lunch, setting India 384 to win in 70 overs in the final two sessions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which had been extended due to rain. India were 174-6 after being set 384 to win. The tourists lost six wickets along the way, at times giving Australia a sniff of victory.

Describing the Melbourne Test performance as shoddy at best, he said that they had done a lot of work and he couldn't complain about the work ethic from the lads, but the big ones that cost them were the first innings, the Daily Telegraph reported.

He further said that dropping Virat Kohli on 88 and Ajinkya Rahane on 70 cost them dearly in the back end of the game as catches win matches, the report added.

Australia's fielding performance also came under scrutiny during its two-Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in October/November.