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You could wonder whether Cricket Australia intentionally chooses to be opaque about player availability or simply has a deficiency in public relations, but yet again, the health status of athletes and final team composition must be inferred from the 14-player squad announcement for the second Ashes Test.

Typically, 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 now eventuated.

Cummins is the surprise for not being included, with the regular captain and fast-bowling leader progressing in rehabilitation from initial symptoms of a stress fracture. The only public acknowledgment 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 indicate that everything is on track and his recovery remains happily on track, with a probable return to the side soon. Theoretically, he might still be added to the Brisbane squad in the next few days if he and management so choose. However, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Going back to when Cummins’ scans were cleared in last month, starting the clock on his buildup to match fitness, all public commentary from the player and board schedules suggested he would only narrowly miss the initial match 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 people will be sitting there questioning why he’s not playing.”

After returning to his home city following the victory in the west, he was seen bowling in the state facilities without any apparent limitations and, importantly, was using a pink Kookaburra ball, presumably 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 six days until the first ball in Brisbane? Not to mention, 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.

That in itself is fine: 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 board officials seem not to think it reasonable to share any information about the skipper’s condition or the changing nature of either.

If care is the priority with the captain, the opposite applies with the opener’s issue. He had spasms flare up in Perth during brief periods on the field, keeping Australia’s usual opener from playing his role in the match and from having any influence when he eventually batted. Even if his symptoms have subsided, the newness of the problem creates concern that they might recur in the pressure of Brisbane.

With Khawaja in the squad suggests he is set to return to opening the batting, even though his replacement scored a historic hundred in his place. He wouldn’t be selected as a reserve or to bat down the order. But again, there is no confirmation about this, just the selection.

It isn’t necessary that teams should have to give a whole XI when announcing selections, and strategies may shift. But some plans are firmer than others, and given the way Head’s whirlwind drew fan interest, it would cause no issue to confirm where both batsmen are slotted to play. Some uncertainty in sports is a good thing, but creating it out of the broadly obvious is unnecessary. For those aiming of engaging fans, communication goes a long way.