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You could wonder whether Cricket Australia deliberately prefers to be opaque about player availability or simply lacks effectiveness in communications, but yet again, the health status of athletes 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 be much news, but on this occasion it is, thanks to the anticipated changes involving both key players, none of which has come to pass.

Cummins is the surprise for not being included, with the team skipper and pace spearhead deep into his recovery from early signs of a back injury. The only public acknowledgment was a brief mention 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 healing is proceeding well, with a likely addition to the team in the near future. Theoretically, he might still be added to the Brisbane squad in coming days if he and management so choose. However, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Recalling when Cummins’ scans were cleared in October, 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 close to full intensity with the squad in Perth. Coach Andrew McDonald said, “Cummins will be fit to bowl 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 seen bowling in the state facilities without any apparent limitations and, most notably, was training with a pink ball, what one would assume as preparation for the day-night Test.

What prompted the shift, well over a month since Cummins said he would need four weeks to build up his workload, and with six days until the first ball in the Gabba? 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 more than seven weeks since he resumed bowling.

This is acceptable: medical opinions evolve, medical staff can be conservative, athletes might take care. What’s strange is that during the most anticipated and closely followed Test series in the season, the governing body’s representatives seem not to think it reasonable to share updates about the captain’s fitness and availability or the evolving status of either.

And if caution is the watchword with Cummins, the reverse is true with the opener’s issue. He had spasms flare up in the first Test during two paltry fielding innings, keeping Australia’s usual opener from doing so 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 pressure of Brisbane.

His inclusion logically means 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 bat down the order. But again, there is no confirmation about this, just the selection.

It isn’t necessary that teams should have to give a whole XI when picking their squad, and plans can change. But some plans are firmer than others, and given the way Head’s whirlwind drew fan interest, it would do no harm to confirm where both batsmen are slotted to play. Some uncertainty in life is a good thing, but creating it out of the clearly evident is unnecessary. For those aiming of winning over audiences, communication goes a long way.