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You could wonder whether Cricket Australia intentionally chooses to be opaque about team selection or simply lacks effectiveness in communications, but yet again, the health status of athletes and the makeup of the XI must be deduced from the selection in the larger squad for the second Ashes Test.

Typically, an unchanged squad would not attract attention, but on this occasion it is, thanks to the anticipated changes involving both key players, neither of which has come to pass.

The unexpected element is Cummins for his omission, with the team skipper and fast-bowling leader deep into his recovery from early signs of a back injury. The sole official statement was a brief mention with the team announcement stating that Cummins is scheduled to go to Brisbane to further his training.”

Suggestions from within CA indicate 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 coming days if he and management so choose. However, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Recalling when his medical tests came back positive in last month, starting the clock on his return to play, all public commentary from the bowler himself and board schedules indicated he would only narrowly miss the first Test and was set to practice at nearly full tilt with the squad in Perth. Coach Andrew McDonald said, “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 state facilities without any visible restrictions and, most notably, was training with a pink ball, presumably as readiness for the Brisbane day-night game.

What prompted the shift, well over a month since Cummins said he would need a month to prepare bowling loads, and with six days until the first ball in the Gabba? Not to mention, there are eight more days of rest between matches. If the latter is Cummins’ destination, it will be more than seven weeks since he resumed bowling.

That in itself is fine: prognoses can change, medical staff can be conservative, players can be cautious. It’s just peculiar is that during the high-profile Test series in Australia’s calendar, the board officials don’t appear to consider it necessary to provide updates about the skipper’s condition or the evolving status of either.

If care is the priority with the captain, the reverse is true with Khawaja’s back injury. He had muscle spasms in Perth during two paltry fielding innings, keeping Australia’s usual opener from playing his role in both innings and from making an impact when he eventually batted. Though he may have improved, the fact he’d not experienced them before surely leaves some risk that they might recur in the heat of the next Test.

With Khawaja in the squad logically means he is due to resume the top order, even though Travis Head made a record-setting century in Perth. Khawaja wouldn’t be picked as a reserve or to play lower. But again, there is no official information about this, only the squad listing.

It isn’t necessary that teams should have to give a full lineup when announcing selections, and plans can change. 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 life is a positive, but manufacturing it out of the broadly obvious is needless. For those aiming of winning over audiences, communication goes a long way.