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You could wonder whether Cricket Australia intentionally chooses to be opaque about player availability or simply has a deficiency in communications, but yet again, the health status of athletes and the makeup of the XI must be inferred from the 14-player squad announcement for the Brisbane match.

Typically, an unchanged squad would not be much news, but this time it is, thanks to the anticipated changes involving Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja, none of which has now eventuated.

Cummins is the surprise for his omission, with the regular captain and pace spearhead deep into his recovery from early signs of a back injury. The only public acknowledgment was a brief mention with the squad release stating that Cummins is scheduled to go to Brisbane to further his training.”

Insider reports indicate that this is all situation normal and his recovery remains happily on track, with a likely addition to the side soon. In theory, he might still be added to the Test squad in coming days if deemed fit by staff. But still, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Recalling when his medical tests came back positive in October, starting the clock on his buildup to match fitness, all official statements from the player and board schedules suggested he would just be unavailable for the initial match and was scheduled to train at nearly full tilt with the squad in Perth. Coach Andrew McDonald said, “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 team’s raucous two-day win, he was observed practicing in the state facilities without any visible restrictions and, most notably, was using a pink Kookaburra ball, what one would assume as preparation for the day-night Test.

What prompted the shift, more than four weeks since he indicated requiring four weeks to build up bowling loads, and with less than a week to go in the Gabba? Additionally, there are eight more days of rest between matches. Should he target Adelaide, it will be more than seven weeks since he resumed bowling.

That in itself is fine: medical opinions evolve, medical staff can be conservative, athletes might take care. It’s just peculiar is that during the most anticipated and closely followed Ashes contest in Australia’s calendar, the board officials don’t appear to consider it necessary to provide any information about the captain’s fitness and availability or the evolving status of either.

If care is the priority with the captain, the opposite applies with the opener’s issue. He had muscle spasms in Perth during brief periods on the field, preventing the regular batsman from doing so in the match and from having any influence when he eventually batted. Even if his symptoms have subsided, the newness of the problem creates concern that they could return 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 his place. He wouldn’t be selected as a reserve or to play lower. But again, there is no official information about this, only the squad listing.

This doesn’t mean that sides must reveal a full lineup when announcing selections, and strategies may shift. 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 those two players are slotted to play. A bit of mystery in sports is a good thing, but creating it out of the clearly evident is unnecessary. If you’re in the business of engaging fans, communication goes a long way.