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One might speculate whether Cricket Australia intentionally chooses to be opaque about player availability or simply lacks effectiveness in public relations, 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 identical team list would not be much news, but on this occasion it is, due to the anticipated changes involving Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja, none of which has come to pass.

The unexpected element is Cummins for his omission, with the regular captain and fast-bowling leader progressing in rehabilitation from early signs of a back injury. The only public acknowledgment was a cursory line with the squad release stating that “Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to continue his preparations.”

Suggestions from within CA indicate 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 Brisbane squad in coming 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 timelines from CA indicated he would only narrowly miss the initial match and was set to practice at nearly full tilt 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 New South Wales nets without any apparent limitations and, importantly, was using a pink Kookaburra ball, what one would assume as readiness for the Brisbane day-night game.

So, why the change of plans, more than four weeks since he indicated requiring a month to prepare bowling loads, and with less than a week to go in Brisbane? Not to mention, 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 started training again.

That in itself is fine: prognoses can change, doctors may be cautious, players can be cautious. It’s just peculiar is that during the most anticipated and closely followed Ashes contest in Australia’s calendar, the board officials seem not to think it reasonable to share updates about the captain’s fitness and availability or the changing nature of either.

And if caution is the watchword with Cummins, the reverse is true with Khawaja’s back injury. He had muscle spasms in the first Test during two paltry fielding innings, preventing the regular batsman from playing his role 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 creates concern that they could return in the heat of the next Test.

His inclusion suggests he is due to resume the top order, even though Travis Head made a record-setting century in his place. Khawaja wouldn’t be picked as a reserve or to bat down the order. But again, there is no official information about this, just the selection.

It isn’t necessary that teams should have to give a full lineup when picking their squad, and strategies may shift. But some plans are firmer than others, and considering how Travis Head’s explosive performance captured public attention, it would cause no issue to confirm where those two players are due to bat. A bit of mystery in sports is a good thing, but creating it out of the clearly evident is unnecessary. For those aiming of engaging fans, communication goes a long way.