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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 once again, the fitness of players and final team composition must be deduced from the 14-player squad announcement for the Brisbane match.

Typically, an identical team list would not attract attention, but this time it is, due to the anticipated changes involving both key players, none of which has now eventuated.

The unexpected element is Cummins for his omission, with the regular captain and pace spearhead deep into his recovery from early signs of a back injury. The only public acknowledgment was a cursory line 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 healing is proceeding well, with a probable return to the team in the near future. In theory, he might still be added to the Test squad in the next few days if deemed fit by staff. However, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Recalling when Cummins’ scans were cleared in last month, starting the clock on his return to play, all official statements from the player and timelines from CA suggested he would just be unavailable for the initial match and was scheduled to train at nearly full tilt with the team during the match. The head coach remarked, “He will be up and bowling in Perth, and fans will wonder 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 apparent limitations and, importantly, was training with a pink ball, presumably as readiness for the Brisbane day-night game.

So, why the change of plans, well over a month since Cummins said he would need four weeks to build up his workload, and with six days until the first ball in the Gabba? Not to mention, there are eight more days of rest between matches. If the latter is Cummins’ destination, it will be over two months since he started training again.

This is acceptable: prognoses can change, doctors may be cautious, players can be cautious. It’s just peculiar is that during the high-profile Ashes contest in Australia’s calendar, the governing body’s representatives seem not to think it reasonable to share any information about the skipper’s condition or the evolving status of either.

If care is the priority with Cummins, the opposite applies with Khawaja’s back injury. He had muscle spasms in the first Test during two paltry fielding innings, keeping Australia’s usual opener from playing his role in the match and from making an impact when he eventually batted. 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 set to return to the top order, even though Travis Head made a record-setting century in his place. He wouldn’t be selected as a backup or to play lower. Once more, there is no official information about this, only the squad listing.

It isn’t necessary that teams should have to give a full lineup when announcing selections, and strategies may shift. However, certain decisions are clearer than others, and given the way Head’s whirlwind drew fan interest, it would cause no issue to confirm where those two players are due to bat. Some uncertainty in life is a positive, but creating it out of the clearly evident is unnecessary. For those aiming of engaging fans, transparency is crucial.