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One might speculate whether Cricket Australia deliberately prefers 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 identical team list would not attract attention, but on this occasion it is, due to the anticipated changes involving both key players, neither of which has now eventuated.

Cummins is the surprise for his omission, with the team skipper and fast-bowling leader progressing in rehabilitation from initial symptoms of a stress fracture. The sole official statement was a cursory line with the team announcement stating that “Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to further his training.”

Insider reports support the view that everything is on track 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 the next few days if he and management so choose. However, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Going back to when Cummins’ scans were cleared in October, starting the clock on his return to play, all official statements from the player and timelines from CA suggested he would only narrowly miss the first Test and was set to practice at close to full intensity 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 Sydney following the victory in the west, he was seen bowling in the New South Wales nets without any apparent limitations and, most notably, was using a pink Kookaburra ball, presumably 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 six days until the first ball in the Gabba? Additionally, there are over a week’s break between Brisbane and the third Test. Should he target Adelaide, it will be over two months since he started training again.

That in itself is fine: medical opinions evolve, doctors may be cautious, players can be cautious. It’s just peculiar is that during the most anticipated and closely followed Test series in the season, the board officials don’t appear to consider it reasonable to share any information about the skipper’s condition or the evolving status of either.

And if caution is the watchword with Cummins, the opposite applies with the opener’s issue. He had spasms flare up in Perth during brief periods on the field, keeping Australia’s usual opener from doing so in both innings and from having any influence when he eventually batted. Even if his symptoms have subsided, the newness of the problem creates concern that they might recur 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. But again, there is no confirmation about this, only the squad listing.

This doesn’t mean that teams should have to give a full lineup when announcing selections, and strategies may shift. But some plans are firmer than others, and considering how Head’s whirlwind drew fan interest, it would cause no issue to confirm where those two players are slotted to play. A bit of mystery in life is a positive, but creating it out of the clearly evident is needless. For those aiming of engaging fans, communication goes a long way.