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One might speculate whether Cricket Australia deliberately prefers to be unclear about team selection or simply has a deficiency in public relations, but once again, the health status of athletes and final team composition must be inferred from the selection in the larger squad for the second Ashes Test.

Normally, an unchanged squad would not attract attention, but this time 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 back injury. The sole official statement was a cursory line with the squad release stating that Cummins is scheduled to go to Brisbane to continue his preparations.”

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, Cummins could even join 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 return to play, all official statements from the bowler himself and timelines from CA indicated he would only narrowly miss the first Test and was scheduled to train at nearly full tilt 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 Sydney following the victory in the west, 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 preparation for the day-night Test.

What prompted the shift, well over a month since Cummins said he would need four weeks to build up his workload, 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 started training again.

That in itself is fine: prognoses can change, medical staff can be conservative, players can be cautious. What’s strange is that during the most anticipated and closely followed Test series in the season, the governing body’s representatives seem not to think it necessary to provide updates about the captain’s fitness and availability or the evolving status of either.

And if caution is the watchword with the captain, the opposite applies with Khawaja’s back injury. He had muscle spasms in Perth during brief periods on the field, keeping Australia’s usual opener from playing his role in the match and from having any influence when he did bat down the order. Even if his symptoms have subsided, the newness of the problem creates concern that they might recur in the heat of the next Test.

With Khawaja in the squad 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 play lower. Once more, there is no confirmation about this, just the selection.

It isn’t necessary that sides must reveal a whole XI when picking their squad, and strategies may shift. But some plans are firmer than others, and considering how Head’s whirlwind captured public attention, it would cause no issue to confirm where those two players are slotted to play. Some uncertainty in sports is a positive, but creating it out of the clearly evident is unnecessary. If you’re in the business of winning over audiences, communication goes a long way.