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One might speculate whether the Australian cricket board intentionally chooses to be opaque about player availability or simply has a deficiency in public relations, but yet again, the fitness of players and final team composition must be inferred from the 14-player squad announcement for the Brisbane match.

Normally, an identical team list would not be much news, but this time it is, thanks to the possible movement involving both key players, none of which has come to pass.

The unexpected element is Cummins for his omission, with the team skipper and pace spearhead progressing in rehabilitation from early signs 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 continue his preparations.”

Suggestions from within CA indicate 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 deemed fit by staff. But still, the explanations seem inconsistent.

Going back to when Cummins’ scans were cleared in October, initiating the countdown on his return to play, all public commentary from the bowler himself and timelines from CA indicated he would just be unavailable for the first Test and was set to practice at close to full intensity with the team during the match. Coach Andrew McDonald said, “He will be up and bowling in Perth, and fans will wonder why he’s not playing.”

After returning to his home city following the victory in the west, he was seen bowling in the New South Wales nets without any apparent limitations and, importantly, was using a pink Kookaburra ball, presumably as preparation for the day-night Test.

What prompted the shift, more than four weeks since Cummins said he would need a month to prepare bowling loads, and with less than a week to go in Brisbane? Not to mention, there are over a week’s break between matches. Should he target Adelaide, it will be more than seven weeks since he resumed bowling.

That in itself is fine: medical opinions evolve, doctors may be cautious, 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 necessary to provide any information 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 Khawaja’s back injury. He had spasms flare up in the first Test during two paltry fielding innings, keeping Australia’s usual opener from playing his role in the match and from making an impact when he eventually batted. Even if his symptoms have subsided, the newness of the problem creates concern that they might recur in the pressure of Brisbane.

His inclusion logically means he is set to return to opening the batting, even though his replacement scored a historic hundred in his place. He wouldn’t be selected as a reserve or to play lower. But again, there is no official information about this, only the squad listing.

This doesn’t mean that sides must reveal a full lineup when announcing selections, and strategies may shift. However, certain decisions are clearer than others, and given the way Travis Head’s explosive performance captured public attention, it would cause no issue to clarify where those two players are due to bat. A bit of mystery in sports is a positive, but creating it out of the clearly evident is unnecessary. For those aiming of engaging fans, transparency is crucial.