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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 health status of athletes and the makeup of the XI must be deduced from the 14-player squad announcement for the second Ashes Test.

Normally, an unchanged squad would not attract attention, but on this occasion it is, thanks to the possible movement involving both key players, neither of which has now eventuated.

The unexpected element is Cummins for not being included, with the team skipper and pace spearhead progressing in rehabilitation from initial symptoms of a stress fracture. The sole official statement was a brief mention with the squad release stating that Cummins is scheduled to go to Brisbane to further his training.”

Insider reports support the view that this is all situation normal 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 coming days if deemed fit by staff. But still, the explanations seem inconsistent.

Going back to when Cummins’ scans were cleared in last month, initiating the countdown on his return to play, all public commentary from the player and timelines from CA suggested he would just be unavailable for the first Test and was scheduled to train at close to full intensity with the squad in Perth. 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 Sydney following the team’s raucous two-day win, he was observed practicing in the state facilities without any apparent limitations and, most notably, was using a pink Kookaburra ball, presumably as preparation for the day-night Test.

What prompted the shift, well over a month since Cummins said he would need a month to prepare bowling loads, and with six days until the first ball in the Gabba? Additionally, there are over a week’s break between Brisbane and the third Test. If the latter is Cummins’ destination, it will be over two months since he started training again.

That in itself is fine: prognoses can change, doctors may be cautious, athletes might take care. What’s strange is that during the high-profile Test series in Australia’s calendar, the board officials seem not to think it reasonable to share updates about the captain’s fitness and availability or the changing nature of either.

And if caution is the watchword with the captain, the opposite applies with the opener’s issue. 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 did bat down the order. Though he may have improved, the fact he’d not experienced them before creates concern that they could return in the heat of the next Test.

His inclusion suggests he is due to resume opening the batting, even though Travis Head made a record-setting century in Perth. Khawaja wouldn’t be picked as a reserve or to bat down the order. But again, there is no official information about this, just the selection.

This doesn’t mean that teams should have to give a full lineup when picking their squad, and plans can change. However, certain decisions are clearer than others, and considering how Head’s whirlwind drew fan interest, it would cause no issue to confirm where both batsmen are slotted to play. A bit of mystery in life is a good thing, but creating it out of the clearly evident is needless. If you’re in the business of winning over audiences, transparency is crucial.