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One might speculate whether Cricket Australia intentionally chooses to be unclear about team selection or simply lacks effectiveness in communications, but once again, the health status of athletes and the makeup of the XI must be inferred from the selection in the larger squad for the second Ashes Test.

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

The unexpected element is Cummins for his omission, with the team skipper and fast-bowling leader deep into his recovery from initial symptoms of a stress fracture. The only public acknowledgment was a brief mention with the team announcement stating that Cummins is scheduled to go to Brisbane to further his training.”

Insider reports indicate that everything is on track and his healing is proceeding well, with a likely addition to the team in the near future. In theory, Cummins could even join 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 October, starting the clock on his return to play, all public commentary from the player and timelines from CA suggested he would just be unavailable for the initial match and was scheduled to train at close to full intensity with the team during the match. The head coach remarked, “He will be up and bowling in Perth, and people will be sitting there questioning why he’s not playing.”

After returning to his home city following the victory in the west, he was seen bowling in the state facilities without any visible restrictions and, most notably, was using a pink Kookaburra ball, presumably as readiness for the Brisbane day-night game.

What prompted the shift, more than four weeks since Cummins said he would need a month to prepare bowling loads, and with less than a week to go in Brisbane? Not to mention, there are over a week’s break between matches. If the latter is Cummins’ destination, it will be more than seven weeks since he started training again.

That in itself is fine: medical opinions evolve, doctors may be cautious, athletes might take care. What’s strange is that during the most anticipated and closely followed 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.

And if caution is the watchword with Cummins, the opposite applies with Khawaja’s back injury. He had spasms flare up in the first Test during two paltry fielding innings, keeping Australia’s usual opener from doing so in both innings and from having any influence when he eventually batted. Even if his symptoms have subsided, the newness of the problem creates concern that they might recur in the pressure of Brisbane.

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

This doesn’t mean that teams should have to give a whole XI when announcing selections, and plans can change. But some plans are firmer than others, and given the way Travis Head’s explosive performance captured public attention, it would cause no issue to confirm where both batsmen are due to bat. A bit of mystery in sports is a positive, but manufacturing it out of the clearly evident is unnecessary. If you’re in the business of winning over audiences, communication goes a long way.