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One might speculate whether Cricket Australia intentionally chooses to be unclear about player availability or simply has a deficiency in public relations, but yet again, the fitness of players and final team composition must be inferred from the 14-player squad announcement for the Brisbane match.

Normally, an unchanged squad would not attract attention, but this time it is, thanks to the possible movement involving both key players, neither of which has come to pass.

Cummins is the surprise for not being included, with the regular captain and pace spearhead progressing in rehabilitation from early signs of a stress fracture. The sole official statement was a cursory line with the team announcement stating that Cummins is scheduled to go to Brisbane to continue his preparations.”

Insider reports support the view that everything is on track and his healing is proceeding well, with a probable return to the side soon. Theoretically, he might still be added to the Brisbane squad in the next few 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 return to play, all official statements from the player and timelines from CA indicated he would only narrowly miss the initial match and was set to practice at close to full intensity 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.”

Once Cummins got back to Sydney following the team’s raucous two-day win, he was observed practicing in the state facilities without any visible restrictions and, importantly, was training with a pink ball, presumably as readiness for the Brisbane day-night game.

So, why the change of plans, well over a month since Cummins said he would need four weeks to build up bowling loads, and with six days until the first ball in Brisbane? Additionally, there are over a week’s break between Brisbane and the third Test. If the latter is Cummins’ destination, it will be more than seven weeks since he started training again.

This is acceptable: medical opinions evolve, medical staff can be conservative, players can be cautious. What’s strange is that during the most anticipated and closely followed Ashes contest in the season, the governing body’s representatives seem not to think it reasonable to share any information 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 the opener’s issue. He had spasms flare up in the first Test during brief periods on the field, preventing the regular batsman from doing so in both innings and from making an impact when he eventually batted. Though he may have improved, 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 the top order, even though his replacement scored a historic hundred in Perth. He wouldn’t be selected as a reserve or to bat down the order. Once more, there is no official information about this, only the squad listing.

This doesn’t mean that teams should have to give a whole XI when picking their squad, and strategies may shift. But some plans are firmer than others, and considering how Travis Head’s explosive performance captured public attention, it would cause no issue to clarify where both batsmen are due to bat. A bit of mystery in sports is a good thing, but creating it out of the broadly obvious is unnecessary. For those aiming of engaging fans, transparency is crucial.