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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 final team composition must be inferred from the selection in the larger squad for the second Ashes Test.

Normally, an unchanged squad would not be much news, but this time it is, due to the possible movement involving both key players, neither of which has now eventuated.

The unexpected element is Cummins for not being included, with the regular captain and fast-bowling leader progressing in rehabilitation from initial symptoms of a back injury. The only public acknowledgment was a brief mention with the squad release stating that “Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to continue his preparations.”

Insider reports indicate that this is all situation normal and his healing is proceeding well, with a probable return to the side soon. Theoretically, Cummins could even join the Brisbane squad in the next few days if he and management so choose. But still, the explanations seem inconsistent.

Recalling when his medical tests came back positive in October, starting the clock on his buildup to match fitness, all official statements from the bowler himself and timelines from CA indicated he would only narrowly miss the initial match and was scheduled to train at close to full intensity with the squad in Perth. Coach Andrew McDonald said, “Cummins will be fit to bowl in Perth, and people will be sitting there questioning why he’s not playing.”

After returning to Sydney following the victory in the west, he was observed practicing in the state facilities without any apparent limitations and, most notably, was using a pink Kookaburra ball, what one would assume as readiness for the Brisbane day-night game.

What prompted the shift, well over a month since he indicated requiring a month to prepare bowling loads, and with six days until the first ball in the Gabba? Additionally, there are eight more days of rest between Brisbane and the third Test. If the latter is Cummins’ destination, it will be over two months since he resumed bowling.

That in itself is fine: medical opinions evolve, doctors may be cautious, athletes might take care. What’s strange is that during the most anticipated and closely followed Test series in Australia’s calendar, the governing body’s representatives seem not to think it reasonable to share any information about the skipper’s condition or the evolving status of either.

If care is the priority with the captain, the opposite applies with Khawaja’s back injury. He had spasms flare up in Perth during brief periods on the field, preventing the regular batsman from playing his role in both innings and from making an impact when he eventually batted. Though he may have improved, the fact he’d not experienced them before surely leaves some risk that they might recur in the heat of the next Test.

His inclusion suggests he is set to return to the top order, even though Travis Head made a record-setting century in Perth. He wouldn’t be selected as a backup or to play lower. But again, there is no confirmation about this, just the selection.

This doesn’t mean that teams should have to give a whole XI when announcing selections, and plans can change. However, certain decisions are clearer than others, and given the way Travis Head’s explosive performance captured public attention, it would do no harm to confirm where those two players are due to bat. A bit of mystery in sports is a positive, but manufacturing it out of the broadly obvious is needless. For those aiming of winning over audiences, transparency is crucial.