The message Fleming wants to see Cummins send India with the ball in Adelaide

Former Aussie paceman Damien Fleming wants to see some improvement from Pat Cummins during the second Test against India in Adelaide.

The Australian captain took 2/67 & 1/86 during the first Test loss in Perth and Fleming thinks he was short of his usual output.

Having not played Test cricket like the rest of his teammates since March, Fleming thinks that the 31-year-old could have been a little bit rusty as he couldn’t produce the stock ball on a consistent enough basis.

“I reckon he was a six out of 10, whereas we know generally Patty is just an eight out of 10,” Fleming told SEN Mornings.

“They (Australia) won't say anything about their preparation, but I can't help feeling that he looked like he was striving to find his stock ball.

“That mid-high 130 km/h nipping back from the fourth stump line into the stumps. He bowls that wobble scene that goes the other way.

“It can happen when you're not quite right that you’re always battling to get that stock ball going, particularly when you're behind the game like that.“

While Cummins wasn’t at his best in Perth, Fleming thinks that getting 40.4 overs into his legs will do the New South Welshman a world of good as he gets into his rhythm.

He also urged the skipper to take the new ball alongside Mitchell Starc now that Josh Hazlewood is out injured to send an aggressive message to the Indian lineup.

“I'm hoping he's had a good assessment too because he hasn't bowled a lot, particularly in red-ball cricket,” Fleming said.

“Was he running in a bit hard at the start? I thought at times he was jumping to the stumps a little bit more extreme than it usually is when he’s in good form.

“But he bowled 40 overs. That's the positive for me with Pat Cummins, he should be bowling fit now.

“I think the proactive thing to do with Hazelwood out is to grab that new ball and set the tone like Jasprit Bumrah does for India.

“Get in, get that nice shiny pink ball, knock over a couple of the Indian top order and say to the Indians, ‘We’ve got a fast-bowling captain that can knock over games as well’.

“That's what I want to see from Patty.”

The second Test between Australia and India begins on Friday, December 6. Listen to every ball LIVE on SEN and the SEN app.