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You could wonder whether Cricket Australia intentionally chooses to be opaque about team selection or simply lacks effectiveness in public relations, but once again, the fitness of players and final team composition must be deduced from the selection in the larger squad for the second Ashes Test.

Typically, an unchanged squad would not be much news, but this time 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 progressing in rehabilitation from initial symptoms of a stress fracture. The only public acknowledgment was a brief mention with the team announcement stating that “Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to further his training.”

Insider reports support the view that this is all situation normal and his healing is proceeding well, with a probable return to the team in the near future. Theoretically, Cummins could even join the Test squad in the next few days if he and management so choose. But still, 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 timelines from CA suggested he would just be unavailable for the initial match and was scheduled to train at close to full intensity with the team during the match. Coach Andrew McDonald said, “He will be up and bowling in Perth, and people will be sitting there questioning why he’s not playing.”

After returning to his home city following the team’s raucous two-day win, he was seen bowling in the New South Wales nets without any visible restrictions and, importantly, was training with a pink ball, presumably as preparation for the day-night Test.

What prompted the shift, more than four weeks since he indicated requiring four weeks to build up bowling loads, and with six days until the first ball in Brisbane? Not to mention, 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 resumed bowling.

That in itself is fine: prognoses can change, medical staff can be conservative, players can be cautious. What’s strange is that during the high-profile Test series in Australia’s calendar, the governing body’s representatives seem not to think it necessary to provide updates about the skipper’s condition or the changing nature 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, preventing the regular batsman from playing his role in both innings and from having any influence when he eventually batted. Even if his symptoms have subsided, the newness of the problem surely leaves some risk that they could return in the heat of the next Test.

With Khawaja in the squad logically means he is set to return to the top order, even though Travis Head made a record-setting century in his place. He wouldn’t be selected as a backup or to bat down the order. But again, there is no confirmation about this, just the selection.

It isn’t necessary that sides must reveal a whole XI when announcing selections, and plans can change. However, certain decisions are clearer than others, and given the way Head’s whirlwind captured public attention, it would do no harm to confirm where both batsmen are slotted to play. Some uncertainty in life is a positive, but manufacturing it out of the broadly obvious is unnecessary. For those aiming of engaging fans, communication goes a long way.