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Conceding that Australia haven't lived up to its high fielding standards, Australia coach John Buchannan hoped for a repeat of the Melbourne Test, when his side blunted India's first day advantage to carve out a series-levelling victory.

The Aussies dropped a couple of chances including a sitter while also missing out on a run-out opportunities as India batted themselves to a position of strength at 284 for three on the opening day of the fourth and final cricket Test in Sydney.

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"We set ourselves standards that we are not living up to at the moment. Certainly we created chances. Some of those just did not come our way. We will improve tomorrow," Buchanan said, adding India's strategy was apparent.

"They are very happy to win the toss and bat as long as possible and then make most of a turning wicket late in the match."

The coach is drawing hope from the fact that they had pegged back India after the tourists seemed to be running away to a mammoth first innings total in Melbourne.

"It is a little bit of carbon copy of the third Test in Melbourne, where India were 320-odd for four at the end of the first day... But we turned that around the next day and that is what we will be looking to do tomorrow."

The coach said it is imperative for his bowlers to make full use of the second new ball taken today after the 80^th over.

"We need to use the second new ball reasonably well tomorrow morning," he said.

Although Buchanan was clearly unhappy with the team's showing in the field, he put it down to a temporary aberration.

"We have not probably fielded our best today. And didn't field our best in the Boxing Day Test match and there have been other instances. But a few sessions or a few days don't necessarily make a lifetime. And we still have got some very good fieldsmen out there.

"I don't think it [fielding] is an ageing question or an endemic question. It has been in parts a fielding effort that we all know we would like to improve... While it may not be totally up to our normal standards, I am not here wielding a big stick."

Buchanan was not surprised to see Sachin Tendulkar finally among some runs in the match but said he did not bat like his usual self.

"His big score was coming. He is averaging close to 60 so the law of averages suggests that there is some big innings somewhere in the mix.

"He was able to stay at the crease longer than he has been able to so far in the series. But you would admit he did not accumulate runs in his best fashion."