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You could wonder whether the Australian cricket board intentionally chooses to be opaque about team selection or simply has a deficiency in communications, but yet again, the health status of athletes and the makeup of the XI must be deduced from the selection in the larger squad for the second Ashes Test.

Normally, an identical team list would not attract attention, 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 regular captain and pace spearhead deep into his recovery from initial symptoms of a stress fracture. The sole official statement was a brief mention with the team announcement stating that “Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to continue his preparations.”

Suggestions from within CA indicate that this is all situation normal and his healing is proceeding well, with a likely addition to the team in the near future. In theory, he might still be added to the Brisbane squad in coming days if deemed fit by staff. However, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Recalling when Cummins’ scans were cleared in last month, starting the clock on his return to play, all public commentary from the player and timelines from CA indicated 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. 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 Sydney following the victory in the west, he was seen bowling in the New South Wales nets without any visible restrictions and, importantly, was using a pink Kookaburra ball, presumably as preparation for the day-night Test.

So, why the change of plans, 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? Not to mention, there are eight more days of rest between matches. Should he target Adelaide, it will be more than seven weeks since he started training again.

That in itself is fine: medical opinions evolve, doctors may be cautious, players can be cautious. What’s strange is that during the most anticipated and closely followed Ashes contest 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.

If care is the priority with the captain, the reverse is true with the opener’s issue. He had spasms flare up in Perth during brief periods on the field, preventing the regular batsman from playing his role in both innings and from making an impact when he did bat down the order. Though he may have improved, the newness of the problem creates concern that they might recur in the heat of the next Test.

With Khawaja in the squad suggests he is set to return to the top order, even though Travis Head made a record-setting century in his place. He wouldn’t be selected as a backup or to bat down the order. Once more, there is no official information 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. However, certain decisions are clearer than others, and considering how Head’s whirlwind captured public attention, it would do no harm to clarify where those two players are slotted to play. Some uncertainty in sports is a positive, but creating it out of the broadly obvious is needless. If you’re in the business of winning over audiences, transparency is crucial.