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One might speculate whether Cricket Australia deliberately prefers to be opaque about player availability or simply has a deficiency in public relations, but once again, the fitness of players and final team composition must be inferred from the 14-player squad announcement for the Brisbane match.

Typically, an identical team list would not be much news, but on this occasion it is, thanks to the anticipated changes involving both key players, neither of which has now eventuated.

Cummins is the surprise for not being included, 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 “Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to continue his preparations.”

Suggestions from within CA support the view that this is all situation normal and his recovery remains happily on track, with a probable return to the side soon. Theoretically, Cummins could even join the Test squad in the next few days if he and management so choose. However, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Recalling when his medical tests came back positive in October, starting the clock on his return to play, all official statements from the player and timelines from CA suggested he would only narrowly miss the first Test and was set to practice at nearly full tilt 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 Sydney following the team’s raucous two-day win, he was seen bowling in the New South Wales nets without any apparent limitations and, most notably, was training with a pink ball, what one would assume as preparation for the day-night Test.

So, why the change of plans, 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 Brisbane? Additionally, 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.

This is acceptable: medical opinions evolve, 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 updates about the captain’s fitness and availability or the changing nature of either.

And if caution is the watchword with the captain, 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 making an impact when he eventually batted. Even if his symptoms have subsided, the fact he’d not experienced them before 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 Travis Head made a record-setting century in his place. He wouldn’t be selected as a reserve or to bat down the order. Once more, there is no official information about this, just the selection.

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 given the way Travis Head’s explosive performance drew fan interest, it would do no harm to clarify where both batsmen are due to bat. Some uncertainty in sports is a positive, but manufacturing it out of the clearly evident is needless. For those aiming of engaging fans, transparency is crucial.