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You could wonder whether the Australian cricket board deliberately prefers to be unclear about player availability or simply lacks effectiveness in communications, but yet again, the fitness of players and the makeup of the XI must be inferred from the 14-player squad announcement for the second Ashes Test.

Typically, an identical team list 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 come to pass.

The unexpected element is Cummins for his omission, with the team skipper and pace spearhead deep into his recovery from initial symptoms of a stress fracture. The sole official statement was a brief mention with the squad release stating that “Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to continue his preparations.”

Insider reports support the view that this is all situation normal and his healing is proceeding well, with a probable return to the side soon. Theoretically, he might still be added to the Test squad in the next few days if deemed fit by staff. However, the explanations seem inconsistent.

Recalling when Cummins’ scans were cleared in October, initiating the countdown on his return to play, all official statements from the bowler himself and board schedules indicated he would only narrowly miss 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.”

Once Cummins got back to his home city following the victory in the west, he was observed practicing in the state facilities without any visible restrictions and, importantly, was training with a pink ball, what one would assume as preparation for the day-night Test.

So, why the change of plans, more than four weeks since he indicated requiring a month to prepare bowling loads, and with less than a week to go in the Gabba? Not to mention, 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 resumed bowling.

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 Ashes contest in Australia’s calendar, the governing body’s representatives seem not to think it reasonable to share updates about the skipper’s condition or the changing nature of either.

If care is the priority with Cummins, the reverse is true with the opener’s issue. He had muscle spasms in Perth during brief periods on the field, keeping Australia’s usual opener from doing so in the match and from making an impact 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 pressure of Brisbane.

His inclusion logically means he is set to return to the top order, even though his replacement scored a historic hundred in Perth. Khawaja wouldn’t be picked as a backup or to play lower. But again, there is no confirmation about this, only the squad listing.

It isn’t necessary that sides must reveal a whole XI 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 due to bat. A bit of mystery in life is a good thing, but creating it out of the broadly obvious is needless. For those aiming of engaging fans, communication goes a long way.