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

Normally, an unchanged squad would not attract attention, but this time it is, due to the anticipated changes involving both key players, neither of which has now eventuated.

The unexpected element is Cummins for his omission, with the team skipper and pace spearhead progressing in rehabilitation from early signs of a stress fracture. The only public acknowledgment was a cursory line with the squad release stating that “Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to further his training.”

Insider reports support the view that everything is on track and his recovery remains happily on track, with a probable return to the side soon. 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 his medical tests came back positive in last month, starting the clock on his buildup to match fitness, all official statements from the bowler himself and timelines from CA indicated he would just be unavailable for the first Test and was scheduled to train at close to full intensity with the team during the match. The head coach remarked, “Cummins will be fit to bowl in Perth, and fans will wonder why he’s not playing.”

After returning to Sydney following the team’s raucous two-day win, he was seen bowling in the state facilities without any visible restrictions and, importantly, was using a pink Kookaburra 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 four weeks to build up his workload, and with six days until the first ball 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 more than seven weeks since he started training again.

That in itself is fine: medical opinions evolve, doctors may be cautious, athletes might take care. It’s just peculiar is that during the most anticipated and closely followed Ashes contest in Australia’s calendar, the board officials don’t appear to consider it necessary to provide updates about the skipper’s condition or the changing nature of either.

And if caution is the watchword with the captain, the reverse is true 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 doing so in the match and from making an impact when he eventually batted. Though he may have improved, the newness of the problem creates concern that they could return 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. Khawaja wouldn’t be picked as a backup or to bat down the order. Once more, there is no official information about this, just the selection.

It isn’t necessary that teams should have to give a whole XI when announcing selections, and plans can change. However, certain decisions are clearer than others, and considering how Travis Head’s explosive performance drew fan interest, it would do no harm to confirm where both batsmen are slotted to play. A bit of mystery in sports is a good thing, but creating it out of the clearly evident is needless. For those aiming of engaging fans, transparency is crucial.