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You could wonder whether the Australian cricket board deliberately prefers to be unclear about player availability or simply has a deficiency in public relations, but once again, the fitness of players and final team composition must be inferred from the 14-player squad announcement for the second Ashes Test.

Typically, an unchanged squad would not be much news, but this time it is, thanks 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 progressing in rehabilitation from initial symptoms 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 further his training.”

Insider reports support the view that this is all situation normal and his recovery remains happily on track, with a probable return to the team in the near future. In theory, he might still be added to the Brisbane squad in coming days if he and management so choose. However, the explanations seem inconsistent.

Going back to when his medical tests came back positive in October, starting the clock on his return to play, all official statements from the bowler himself and board schedules suggested he would just be unavailable for the first Test and was set to practice at close to full intensity 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 his home city following the victory in the west, he was observed practicing in the New South Wales nets without any apparent limitations and, most notably, was using a pink Kookaburra ball, what one would assume as preparation for the day-night Test.

So, why the change of plans, more than four weeks since Cummins said he would need a month to prepare bowling loads, and with less than a week to go in the Gabba? Additionally, there are eight more days of rest between Brisbane and the third Test. If the latter is Cummins’ destination, it will be over two months since he started training again.

This is acceptable: medical opinions evolve, 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 necessary to provide updates about the captain’s fitness and availability or the evolving status of either.

If care is the priority with Cummins, 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 playing his role in both innings 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 could return in the heat of the next Test.

His inclusion suggests he is due to resume opening the batting, even though Travis Head made a record-setting century in Perth. Khawaja wouldn’t be picked as a backup or to play lower. Once more, there is no official information about this, only the squad listing.

It isn’t necessary that sides must reveal a full lineup when picking their squad, and plans can change. But some plans are firmer than others, and given the way Travis Head’s explosive performance captured public attention, it would cause no issue to confirm where both batsmen are due to bat. A bit of mystery in sports is a positive, but creating it out of the clearly evident is needless. For those aiming of engaging fans, communication goes a long way.