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One might speculate whether Cricket Australia intentionally chooses to be opaque about player availability or simply lacks effectiveness in communications, but once again, the fitness of players and the makeup of the XI must be deduced from the selection in the larger squad for the second Ashes Test.

Typically, an unchanged squad would not attract attention, but on this occasion it is, due to the anticipated changes involving both key players, neither of which has come to pass.

Cummins is the surprise for not being included, with the regular captain and pace spearhead progressing in rehabilitation from early signs of a back injury. The sole official statement was a cursory line with the squad release stating that “Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to continue his preparations.”

Insider reports support the view that this is all situation normal and his healing is proceeding well, with a likely addition to the team in the near future. Theoretically, Cummins could even join the Test squad in the next few days if he and management so choose. However, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Recalling when Cummins’ scans were cleared in October, starting the clock on his return to play, all official statements from the player and board schedules suggested he would just be unavailable for the first Test and was scheduled to train at close to full intensity with the team during the match. The head coach remarked, “Cummins will be fit to bowl in Perth, and people will be sitting there questioning why he’s not playing.”

Once Cummins got back to Sydney following the team’s raucous two-day win, he was observed practicing in the state facilities without any visible restrictions and, importantly, was training with a pink ball, what one would assume as preparation for the day-night Test.

So, why the change of plans, more than four weeks since he indicated requiring four weeks to build up bowling loads, and with six days until the first ball in Brisbane? Additionally, there are eight more days of rest between Brisbane and the third Test. Should he target Adelaide, it will be over two months since he started training again.

This is acceptable: medical opinions evolve, medical staff can be conservative, athletes might take care. What’s strange is that during the high-profile Test series in Australia’s calendar, the governing body’s representatives seem not to think it necessary to provide any information about the skipper’s condition or the changing nature of either.

And if caution is the watchword with the captain, the opposite applies with the opener’s issue. He had spasms flare up in Perth during two paltry fielding innings, preventing the regular batsman from doing so in both innings and from having any influence when he eventually batted. Even if his symptoms have subsided, the fact he’d not experienced them before creates concern that they might recur in the pressure of Brisbane.

With Khawaja in the squad logically means he is due to resume the top order, even though Travis Head made a record-setting century in his place. He wouldn’t be selected as a reserve or to play lower. But again, there is no confirmation about this, only the squad listing.

It isn’t necessary that sides must reveal a full lineup when picking their squad, and plans can change. But some plans are firmer than others, and given the way Travis Head’s explosive performance captured public attention, it would cause no issue to confirm where both batsmen are slotted to play. Some uncertainty in sports is a good thing, but creating it out of the broadly obvious is unnecessary. For those aiming of winning over audiences, transparency is crucial.