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One might speculate whether Cricket Australia deliberately prefers to be unclear about team selection or simply lacks effectiveness in public relations, 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.

Typically, an identical team list would not be much news, but this time it is, due to the possible movement involving both key players, none of which has now eventuated.

Cummins is the surprise for his omission, with the team skipper and pace spearhead progressing in rehabilitation from early signs of a back injury. The sole official statement was a cursory line with the squad release 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 recovery remains happily on track, with a likely addition to the team in the near future. In theory, he might still be added to the Test 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 public commentary from the player and timelines from CA suggested he would only narrowly miss the initial match and was scheduled to train at nearly full tilt with the team during the match. 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 his home city following the victory in the west, he was seen bowling in the state facilities without any apparent limitations and, importantly, was using a pink Kookaburra ball, what one would assume as readiness for the Brisbane day-night game.

So, why the change of plans, more than four weeks since he indicated requiring a month to prepare bowling loads, and with less than a week to go in the Gabba? Additionally, there are over a week’s break between matches. Should he target Adelaide, it will be over two months since he started training again.

This is acceptable: prognoses can change, doctors may be cautious, players can be cautious. What’s strange is that during the high-profile Ashes contest in the season, the board officials don’t appear to consider it necessary to provide any information about the captain’s fitness and availability or the changing nature of either.

If care is the priority with Cummins, the opposite applies with the opener’s issue. 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 did bat down the order. Though he may have improved, the fact he’d not experienced them before creates concern that they could return in the heat of the next Test.

His inclusion logically means he is due to resume opening the batting, even though his replacement scored a historic hundred in Perth. He wouldn’t be selected as a backup or to bat down the order. Once more, there is no confirmation about this, only the squad listing.

This doesn’t mean that sides must reveal a full lineup when picking their squad, and strategies may shift. But some plans are firmer than others, and considering how Head’s whirlwind captured public attention, it would do no harm to clarify where both batsmen are slotted to play. Some uncertainty in sports is a good thing, but creating it out of the broadly obvious is needless. For those aiming of engaging fans, transparency is crucial.