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One might speculate whether the Australian cricket board intentionally chooses to be unclear about player availability or simply has a deficiency in public relations, but yet again, the fitness of players and final team composition must be deduced 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 possible movement 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 deep into his recovery from early signs of a stress fracture. The only public acknowledgment was a brief mention with the squad release stating that “Pat Cummins will travel 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 team in the near future. Theoretically, he might still be added to the Brisbane squad in coming days if he and management so choose. However, the explanations seem inconsistent.

Going back to when his medical tests came back positive in October, starting the clock on his return to play, all public commentary from the bowler himself and timelines from CA 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. The head coach remarked, “Cummins will be fit to bowl in Perth, and fans will wonder why he’s not playing.”

Once Cummins got back to Sydney following the team’s raucous two-day win, he was observed practicing in the New South Wales nets without any visible restrictions and, most notably, was using a pink Kookaburra ball, presumably as readiness for the Brisbane day-night game.

So, why the change of plans, well over a month since he indicated requiring a month to prepare bowling loads, 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. 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, medical staff can be conservative, athletes might take care. It’s just peculiar is that during the high-profile Test series in Australia’s calendar, the governing body’s representatives seem not to think it necessary to provide updates about the captain’s fitness and availability or the changing nature of either.

If care is the priority with Cummins, the reverse is true with Khawaja’s back injury. He had muscle spasms in the first Test during two paltry fielding innings, preventing the regular batsman from playing his role in the match and from having any influence when he eventually batted. Though he may have improved, the fact he’d not experienced them before creates concern that they might recur 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 his place. He wouldn’t be selected as a reserve or to play lower. Once more, there is no confirmation about this, just the selection.

It isn’t necessary that teams should have to give a whole XI when picking their squad, and strategies may shift. However, certain decisions are clearer than others, and considering how Travis Head’s explosive performance captured public attention, it would cause no issue to clarify where those two players are slotted to play. A bit of mystery in life is a good thing, but manufacturing it out of the clearly evident is unnecessary. For those aiming of winning over audiences, communication goes a long way.