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One might speculate whether the Australian cricket board intentionally chooses to be unclear about player availability or simply has a deficiency in public relations, but once again, the fitness of players and the makeup of the XI must be deduced from the 14-player squad announcement for the second Ashes Test.

Normally, an unchanged squad would not be much news, but on this occasion it is, due to the anticipated changes involving Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja, neither of which has come to pass.

The unexpected element is Cummins for not being included, with the regular captain and fast-bowling leader deep into his recovery from initial symptoms of a back injury. The sole official statement was a brief mention with the squad release stating that Cummins is scheduled to go to Brisbane to further his training.”

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, Cummins could even join the Test squad in the next few days if he and management so choose. However, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Recalling when his medical tests came back positive in last month, starting the clock on his buildup to match fitness, all official statements from the player and board schedules indicated he would just be unavailable for the initial match and was set to practice at close to full intensity with the team during the match. The head coach remarked, “He will be up and bowling in Perth, and fans will wonder 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 apparent limitations and, importantly, was training with a pink ball, presumably 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 bowling loads, and with less than a week to go in the Gabba? Not to mention, there are over a week’s break between matches. If the latter is Cummins’ destination, it will be more than seven weeks since he resumed bowling.

That in itself is fine: prognoses can change, doctors may be cautious, athletes might take care. It’s just peculiar is that during the high-profile Ashes contest in the season, the board officials seem not to think it necessary to provide updates about the skipper’s condition or the changing nature of either.

If care is the priority with Cummins, the opposite applies with Khawaja’s back injury. He had spasms flare up in Perth during brief periods on the field, preventing the regular batsman from doing so in both innings and from making an impact when he did bat down the order. Even if his symptoms have subsided, the fact he’d not experienced them before creates concern that they could return in the pressure of Brisbane.

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 his place. Khawaja wouldn’t be picked as a backup or to play lower. But again, there is no official information about this, just the selection.

This doesn’t mean that teams should have to give a whole XI when picking their squad, and strategies may shift. However, certain decisions are clearer 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 manufacturing it out of the clearly evident is needless. If you’re in the business of engaging fans, transparency is crucial.