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You could wonder whether Cricket Australia intentionally chooses to be unclear about player availability or simply has a deficiency in public relations, but once again, the fitness of players and the makeup of the XI must be deduced from the 14-player squad announcement for the second Ashes Test.

Typically, an identical team list would not attract attention, but this time it is, thanks to the possible movement involving both key players, none of which has come to pass.

Cummins is the surprise for his omission, with the team skipper and pace spearhead 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.”

Insider reports indicate that this is all situation normal and his recovery remains happily on track, with a probable return to the side soon. In theory, Cummins could even join the Test squad in coming days if deemed fit by staff. But still, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Recalling when Cummins’ scans were cleared in October, starting the clock on his return to play, all official statements from the bowler himself and timelines from CA 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.”

Once Cummins got back to Sydney following the victory in the west, he was observed practicing in the state facilities without any apparent limitations and, most notably, was training with a pink ball, presumably 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 less than a week to go in the Gabba? Additionally, there are over a week’s break between Brisbane and the third Test. Should he target Adelaide, it will be more than seven weeks since he resumed bowling.

This is acceptable: prognoses can change, medical staff can be conservative, players can be cautious. What’s strange is that during the high-profile Ashes contest in the season, the governing body’s representatives seem not to think it necessary to provide updates 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 brief periods on the field, preventing the regular batsman from playing his role in both innings and from having any influence when he eventually batted. Even if his symptoms have subsided, the fact he’d not experienced them before surely leaves some risk that they might recur in the heat of the next Test.

His inclusion logically means 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. Once more, there is no official information about this, just the selection.

It isn’t necessary that sides must reveal 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 captured public attention, it would do no harm to clarify where those two players are due to bat. Some uncertainty in sports is a good thing, but manufacturing it out of the broadly obvious is unnecessary. For those aiming of engaging fans, communication goes a long way.