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One might speculate whether the Australian cricket board deliberately prefers to be unclear about team selection or simply lacks effectiveness in communications, but once again, the health status of athletes and the makeup of the XI must be inferred from the selection in the larger squad for the second Ashes Test.

Typically, an identical team list would not attract attention, but on this occasion it is, thanks to the possible movement involving both key players, neither of which has come to pass.

The unexpected element is Cummins for not being included, with the team skipper and fast-bowling leader deep into his recovery from early signs of a stress fracture. 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.”

Suggestions from within CA support the view that this is all situation normal and his recovery remains happily on track, with a likely addition to the side soon. In theory, he might still be added to the Test squad in the next few days if he and management so choose. But still, the explanations seem inconsistent.

Going back to when Cummins’ scans were cleared in October, starting the clock on his buildup to match fitness, all official statements from the bowler himself and board schedules indicated he would just be unavailable for the initial match and was scheduled to train at nearly full tilt with the squad in Perth. Coach Andrew McDonald said, “Cummins will be fit to bowl 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 New South Wales nets without any apparent limitations and, importantly, was training with a pink ball, what one would assume as readiness for the Brisbane day-night game.

So, why the change of plans, well over a month since Cummins said he would need a month to prepare his workload, and with six days until the first ball in Brisbane? Additionally, there are eight more days of rest between Brisbane and the third Test. Should he target Adelaide, it will be more than seven weeks since he resumed bowling.

This is acceptable: medical opinions evolve, doctors may be cautious, athletes might take care. What’s strange 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 any information about the captain’s fitness and availability or the changing nature of either.

If care is the priority with the captain, the opposite applies with the opener’s issue. He had spasms flare up in the first Test during two paltry fielding innings, preventing the regular batsman from doing so in the match and from making an impact 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 pressure of Brisbane.

His inclusion suggests he is set to return to the top order, even though his replacement scored a historic hundred in Perth. He wouldn’t be selected as a backup or to bat down the order. But again, there is no confirmation about this, only the squad listing.

This doesn’t mean that teams should have to give a whole XI when announcing selections, and strategies may shift. However, certain decisions are clearer than others, and considering how Travis Head’s explosive performance captured public attention, it would do no harm to clarify where both batsmen are due to bat. Some uncertainty in sports is a positive, but manufacturing it out of the broadly obvious is needless. If you’re in the business of winning over audiences, communication goes a long way.