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One might speculate whether the Australian cricket board intentionally chooses to be opaque about player availability or simply lacks effectiveness in public relations, but yet 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.

Normally, an identical team list would not be much news, but this time it is, thanks to the possible movement involving Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja, neither of which has come to pass.

Cummins is the surprise for not being included, with the team skipper and fast-bowling leader progressing in rehabilitation from initial symptoms of a back injury. The sole official statement was a brief mention with the team announcement 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 probable return to the team in the near future. Theoretically, he might still be added to the Test 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, initiating the countdown on his return to play, all public commentary from the bowler himself and timelines from CA indicated he would only narrowly miss the first Test and was set to practice at nearly full tilt 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 his home city following the team’s raucous two-day win, he was seen bowling in the New South Wales nets without any visible restrictions and, most notably, was training with a pink ball, presumably as preparation for the day-night Test.

What prompted the shift, more than four weeks since he indicated requiring four weeks to build up bowling loads, and with less than a week to go 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.

This is acceptable: medical opinions evolve, doctors may be cautious, athletes might take care. It’s just peculiar is that during the high-profile Ashes contest in Australia’s calendar, the governing body’s representatives don’t appear to consider it necessary to provide updates about the captain’s fitness and availability or the changing nature of either.

If care is the priority with the captain, the reverse is true with the opener’s issue. He had muscle spasms in Perth during two paltry fielding innings, keeping Australia’s usual opener from playing his role in the match 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 surely leaves some risk that they could return in the heat of the next Test.

With Khawaja in the squad logically means he is set to return to opening the batting, even though his replacement scored a historic hundred in his place. Khawaja wouldn’t be picked as a backup or to bat down the order. But again, there is no confirmation about this, only the squad listing.

It isn’t necessary that sides must reveal a whole XI when announcing selections, and strategies may shift. However, certain decisions are clearer than others, and considering how Head’s whirlwind drew fan interest, it would cause no issue to confirm where those two players are slotted to play. A bit of mystery in life is a good thing, but manufacturing it out of the clearly evident is unnecessary. If you’re in the business of winning over audiences, communication goes a long way.