🔗 Share this article

You could wonder whether the Australian cricket board 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 14-player squad announcement for the second Ashes Test.

Typically, an unchanged squad would not be much news, but on this occasion it is, due to the possible movement involving Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja, neither of which has now eventuated.

The unexpected element is Cummins for not being included, with the team skipper and pace spearhead deep into his recovery from early signs of a stress fracture. The only public acknowledgment was a brief mention with the team announcement stating that “Pat Cummins will travel to Brisbane to continue his preparations.”

Insider reports indicate that this is all situation normal and his healing is proceeding well, with a probable return 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.

Going back to when Cummins’ scans were cleared in October, starting the clock on his return to play, all official statements from the bowler himself and timelines from CA indicated he would only narrowly miss the initial match and was set to practice at close to full intensity with the squad in Perth. The head coach remarked, “Cummins will be fit to bowl in Perth, and fans will wonder why he’s not playing.”

After returning to his home city following the team’s raucous two-day win, he was observed practicing in the New South Wales nets without any visible restrictions and, most notably, was using a pink Kookaburra ball, presumably as readiness for the Brisbane day-night game.

So, why the change of plans, well over a month since Cummins said he would need 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 Brisbane and the third Test. Should he target Adelaide, it will be more than seven weeks since he started training again.

That in itself is fine: medical opinions evolve, doctors may be cautious, athletes might take care. It’s just peculiar is that during the high-profile Ashes contest in Australia’s calendar, the board officials 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 opposite applies with the opener’s issue. He had muscle spasms in the first Test during brief periods on the field, keeping Australia’s usual opener from playing his role in both innings and from having any influence when he eventually batted. Though he may have improved, the newness of the problem creates concern that they might recur in the heat of the next Test.

His inclusion suggests he is due to resume the top order, even though his replacement scored a historic hundred in Perth. He wouldn’t be selected as a backup or to bat down the order. But again, there is no confirmation 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 Head’s whirlwind captured public attention, it would do no harm to clarify where those two players are slotted to play. A bit of mystery in life is a positive, but manufacturing it out of the clearly evident is unnecessary. For those aiming of winning over audiences, transparency is crucial.