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One might speculate whether the Australian cricket board intentionally chooses to be opaque about team selection or simply has a deficiency in public relations, but yet again, the health status of athletes and final team composition must be deduced from the selection in the larger squad for the Brisbane match.

Typically, an unchanged squad would not be much news, but on this occasion it is, thanks to the anticipated changes involving both key players, none of which has come to pass.

Cummins is the surprise for not being included, with the team skipper and fast-bowling leader progressing in rehabilitation from early signs of a stress fracture. The sole official statement was a cursory line with the team announcement stating that “Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to further his training.”

Insider reports support the view that everything is on track and his healing is proceeding well, with a likely addition to the side soon. Theoretically, Cummins could even join the Brisbane squad in the next few days if deemed fit by staff. But still, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Going back to when Cummins’ scans were cleared in last month, starting the clock on his buildup to match fitness, all public commentary from the bowler himself and board schedules indicated 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.”

Once Cummins got back to his home city following the team’s raucous two-day win, he was seen bowling in the state facilities without any visible restrictions and, most notably, was training with a pink ball, what one would assume as readiness for the Brisbane day-night game.

What prompted the shift, more than four weeks since he indicated requiring a month to prepare his workload, and with less than a week to go in the Gabba? Not to mention, there are eight more days of rest between Brisbane and the third Test. If the latter is Cummins’ destination, it will be over two months since he resumed bowling.

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 Ashes contest in Australia’s calendar, the governing body’s representatives don’t appear to consider it reasonable to share any information about the skipper’s condition or the changing nature of either.

If care is the priority with the captain, the reverse is true with Khawaja’s back injury. He had spasms flare up in Perth during brief periods on the field, preventing the regular batsman from playing his role in the match 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 could return in the pressure of Brisbane.

His inclusion suggests 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 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 full lineup when picking their squad, and plans can change. But some plans are firmer than others, and considering how Head’s whirlwind drew fan interest, it would do no harm to confirm where those two players are slotted to play. A bit of mystery in sports is a positive, but creating it out of the broadly obvious is needless. For those aiming of winning over audiences, communication goes a long way.