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One might speculate whether Cricket Australia intentionally chooses to be unclear about team selection or simply has a deficiency in communications, but yet again, the health status of athletes and the makeup of the XI must be deduced from the 14-player squad announcement for the second Ashes Test.

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

Cummins is the surprise for not being included, with the regular captain and fast-bowling leader progressing in rehabilitation from early signs of a stress fracture. 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 everything is on track and his recovery remains happily on track, with a probable return to the team in the near future. In theory, Cummins could even join the Brisbane squad in the next few days if deemed fit by staff. But still, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Recalling when Cummins’ scans were cleared in October, starting the clock on his return to play, all public commentary from the player and board schedules suggested he would just be unavailable for the first Test and was set to practice at close to full intensity with the squad in Perth. The head coach remarked, “He will be up and bowling in Perth, and fans will wonder 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 using a pink Kookaburra ball, presumably as preparation for the day-night Test.

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 over a week’s break between Brisbane and the third Test. Should he target Adelaide, it will be over two months since he resumed bowling.

This is acceptable: prognoses can change, medical staff can be conservative, athletes might take care. It’s just peculiar is that during the high-profile Ashes contest in the season, the governing body’s representatives seem not to think it reasonable to share updates about the captain’s fitness and availability or the changing nature of either.

If care is the priority with the captain, the opposite applies with Khawaja’s back injury. He had spasms flare up in the first Test during two paltry fielding innings, keeping Australia’s usual opener from playing his role in both innings and from making an impact when he did bat down the order. Though he may have improved, the fact he’d not experienced them before creates concern that they might recur in the heat of the next Test.

With Khawaja in the squad logically means 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 reserve or to bat down the order. Once more, there is no official information about this, just the selection.

This doesn’t mean that teams should have to give a whole XI when picking their squad, and plans can change. However, certain decisions are clearer than others, and considering how Travis Head’s explosive performance captured public attention, it would do no harm to confirm where both batsmen are due to bat. A bit of mystery in life is a positive, but manufacturing it out of the broadly obvious is unnecessary. For those aiming of winning over audiences, transparency is crucial.