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You could wonder whether Cricket Australia intentionally chooses to be unclear about player availability or simply lacks effectiveness in communications, but yet again, the health status of athletes and the makeup of the XI must be inferred from the selection in the larger squad for the Brisbane match.

Typically, an unchanged squad would not be much news, but on this occasion it is, thanks to the possible movement involving Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja, none of which has now eventuated.

The unexpected element is Cummins for not being included, with the regular captain and fast-bowling leader progressing in rehabilitation from early signs of a stress fracture. 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 indicate that everything is on track and his recovery remains happily on track, with a likely addition to the side soon. In theory, he might still be added to the Brisbane squad in coming days if deemed fit by staff. However, something the claims doesn’t add up.

Going back to when Cummins’ scans were cleared in last month, initiating the countdown on his buildup to match fitness, all public commentary from the player and board schedules indicated he would just be unavailable for the initial match and was set to practice at nearly full tilt with the squad in Perth. 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 team’s raucous two-day win, he was seen bowling in the state facilities without any visible restrictions and, most notably, was training with a pink 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 four weeks to build up bowling loads, and with less than a week to go in the Gabba? Not to mention, there are eight more days of rest between matches. If the latter is Cummins’ destination, it will be more than seven weeks since he started training again.

That in itself is fine: prognoses can change, 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 don’t appear to consider it reasonable to share any information about the skipper’s condition or the evolving status of either.

If care is the priority with Cummins, the reverse is true with the opener’s issue. He had muscle spasms in Perth during brief periods on the field, preventing the regular batsman from doing so in both innings and from making an impact when he did bat down the order. Though he may have improved, 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 suggests 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 backup or to play lower. But again, there is no confirmation about this, just the selection.

This doesn’t mean 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 considering how Head’s whirlwind drew fan interest, it would cause no issue to confirm where those two players are slotted to play. Some uncertainty in sports is a good thing, but manufacturing it out of the broadly obvious is unnecessary. If you’re in the business of engaging fans, communication goes a long way.