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One might speculate whether Cricket Australia deliberately prefers to be unclear about player availability or simply has a deficiency in communications, but yet again, the health status of athletes and final team composition must be inferred from the selection in the larger squad for the second Ashes Test.

Typically, an identical team list would not attract attention, but this time it is, thanks to the anticipated changes involving both key players, none of which has come to pass.

Cummins is the surprise for not being included, with the team skipper and fast-bowling leader deep into his recovery from initial symptoms of a stress fracture. The sole official statement was a brief mention with the squad release stating that Cummins is scheduled to go to Brisbane to further his training.”

Suggestions from within CA support the view that this is all situation normal and his recovery remains happily on track, with a probable return to the team in the near future. Theoretically, he might still be added to the Brisbane squad in coming days if he and management so choose. However, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Going back to when Cummins’ scans were cleared in October, starting the clock on his return to play, all official statements from the player and timelines from CA indicated he would only narrowly miss the first Test and was set to practice at close to full intensity with the squad in Perth. Coach Andrew McDonald said, “Cummins will be fit to bowl in Perth, and fans will wonder why he’s not playing.”

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

So, why the change of plans, well over a month since he indicated requiring a month to prepare bowling loads, and with less than a week to go in the Gabba? Additionally, there are over a week’s break between matches. If the latter is Cummins’ destination, it will be over two months since he resumed bowling.

This is acceptable: prognoses can change, doctors may be cautious, athletes might take care. It’s just peculiar is that during the most anticipated and closely followed Ashes contest in the season, the board officials seem not to think it necessary to provide any information about the captain’s fitness and availability or the changing nature of either.

If care is the priority with Cummins, the reverse is true with the opener’s issue. He had muscle spasms in Perth during brief periods on the field, preventing the regular batsman from doing so in the match and from having any influence when he eventually batted. Even if his symptoms have subsided, the fact he’d not experienced them before surely leaves some risk that they could return in the heat of the next Test.

With Khawaja in the squad suggests he is set to return to the top order, even though his replacement scored a historic hundred in his place. Khawaja wouldn’t be picked as a backup or to play lower. Once more, there is no confirmation about this, just the selection.

This doesn’t mean that sides must reveal a full lineup when announcing selections, and plans can change. But some plans are firmer than others, and considering how Head’s whirlwind captured public attention, it would do no harm to confirm where both batsmen are due to bat. Some uncertainty in sports is a positive, but creating it out of the clearly evident is needless. For those aiming of winning over audiences, transparency is crucial.