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One might speculate whether the Australian cricket board intentionally chooses to be unclear about player availability or simply lacks effectiveness in public relations, but yet again, the health status of athletes and final team composition must be inferred from the selection in the larger squad for the second Ashes Test.

Normally, an unchanged squad would not be much news, but on this occasion it is, due to the anticipated changes involving both key players, neither of which has now eventuated.

Cummins is the surprise for not being included, with the team skipper and pace spearhead progressing in rehabilitation from early signs of a back injury. The sole official statement was a brief mention with the squad release stating that “Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to continue his preparations.”

Suggestions from within CA indicate that everything is on track and his healing is proceeding well, with a probable return to the side soon. In theory, he might still be added to the Brisbane squad in the next few days if he and management so choose. But still, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Recalling when his medical tests came back positive in last month, initiating the countdown on his return to play, all public commentary from the player and board schedules indicated he would just be unavailable for the first Test and was set to practice at close to full intensity with the team during the match. 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 observed practicing in the New South Wales nets without any apparent limitations and, most notably, was training with a pink 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 six days until the first ball in the Gabba? Not to mention, there are eight more days of rest between matches. Should he target Adelaide, it will be more than seven weeks since he resumed bowling.

That in itself is fine: prognoses can change, medical staff can be conservative, athletes might take care. What’s strange is that during the most anticipated and closely followed Ashes contest in Australia’s calendar, the board officials don’t appear to consider 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 reverse is true with Khawaja’s back injury. He had muscle spasms in the first Test during brief periods on the field, 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 newness of the problem surely leaves some risk that they might recur in the pressure of Brisbane.

With Khawaja in the squad suggests he is due to resume the top order, even though his replacement scored a historic hundred in Perth. Khawaja wouldn’t be picked as a backup or to play lower. But again, there is no official information about this, just the selection.

It isn’t necessary that teams should have to give a whole XI when picking their squad, and plans can change. 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 slotted to play. Some uncertainty in life is a good thing, but manufacturing it out of the broadly obvious is unnecessary. For those aiming of engaging fans, transparency is crucial.