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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 once again, the fitness of players 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 this time it is, due to the anticipated changes involving both key players, neither of which has now eventuated.

The unexpected element is Cummins for not being included, with the team skipper and fast-bowling leader progressing in rehabilitation from initial symptoms 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 further his training.”

Suggestions from within CA indicate that everything is on track and his healing is proceeding well, with a likely addition to the team in the near future. In theory, Cummins could even join the Test squad in coming days if deemed fit by staff. But still, the explanations seem inconsistent.

Recalling when Cummins’ scans were cleared in last month, initiating the countdown on his buildup to match fitness, all public commentary from the bowler himself and timelines from CA suggested he would only narrowly miss the first Test and was set to practice at nearly full tilt with the squad in Perth. 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 Sydney following the victory in the west, he was observed practicing in the state facilities 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 he indicated requiring a month to prepare his workload, and with less than a week to go in Brisbane? 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.

This is acceptable: prognoses can change, medical staff can be conservative, athletes might take care. It’s just peculiar is that during the most anticipated and closely followed Ashes contest in the season, the board officials seem not to think it reasonable to share any information about the skipper’s condition or the evolving status of either.

And if caution is the watchword with the captain, the reverse is true with Khawaja’s back injury. He had muscle spasms in the first Test during brief periods on the field, preventing the regular batsman from playing his role in both innings and from making an impact when he eventually batted. Even if his symptoms have subsided, the newness of the problem surely leaves some risk that they might recur in the pressure of Brisbane.

His inclusion suggests he is set to return to opening the batting, even though Travis Head made a record-setting century in his place. He wouldn’t be selected as a reserve or to play lower. But again, there is no confirmation about this, just the selection.

It isn’t necessary that sides must reveal a whole XI when announcing selections, 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 do no harm to confirm 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 unnecessary. If you’re in the business of winning over audiences, transparency is crucial.