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You could wonder whether the Australian cricket board intentionally chooses to be unclear about player availability or simply has a deficiency in communications, but yet again, the fitness of players and final team composition must be inferred from the selection in the larger squad for the Brisbane match.

Normally, an unchanged squad would not be much news, but this time it is, thanks to the possible movement involving Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja, neither of which has now eventuated.

Cummins is the surprise for his omission, with the regular captain and fast-bowling leader deep into his recovery from initial symptoms of a stress fracture. The only public acknowledgment was a brief mention with the team announcement stating that “Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to continue his preparations.”

Insider reports support the view that everything is on track and his healing is proceeding well, with a likely addition to the side soon. In theory, he might still be added to the Brisbane squad in coming days if he and management so choose. However, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Recalling when his medical tests came back positive in October, initiating the countdown on his return to play, all public commentary from the player and timelines from CA indicated he would just be unavailable for 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.”

Once Cummins got back to his home city following the victory in the west, he was observed practicing in the state facilities without any apparent limitations and, most notably, was using a pink Kookaburra 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 Brisbane? Additionally, 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.

This is acceptable: medical opinions evolve, doctors may be cautious, players can be cautious. 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 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 spasms flare up in the first Test during brief periods on the field, preventing the regular batsman from doing so 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 could return in the pressure of Brisbane.

His inclusion logically means he is due to resume the top order, even though Travis Head made a record-setting century in Perth. Khawaja wouldn’t be picked as a backup or to bat down the order. But again, there is no confirmation about this, only the squad listing.

It isn’t necessary that teams should have to give a full lineup when announcing selections, and strategies may shift. 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. Some uncertainty in sports is a good thing, but manufacturing it out of the clearly evident is needless. For those aiming of winning over audiences, communication goes a long way.