🔗 Share this article

You could wonder whether the Australian cricket board intentionally chooses to be unclear about team selection or simply lacks effectiveness in public relations, 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.

Normally, an unchanged squad would not attract attention, but on this occasion it is, due 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 regular captain and pace spearhead deep into his recovery from early signs of a stress fracture. The sole official statement was a brief mention with the squad release 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 healing is proceeding well, with a likely addition to the team in the near future. Theoretically, Cummins could even join the Brisbane squad in the next few days if deemed fit by staff. However, the explanations seem inconsistent.

Going back to when his medical tests came back positive in October, starting the clock on his return to play, all official statements from the player and board schedules indicated he would just be unavailable for the first Test and was set to practice at nearly full tilt with the squad in Perth. Coach Andrew McDonald said, “He will be up and bowling in Perth, and people will be sitting there questioning why he’s not playing.”

Once Cummins got back to Sydney following the victory in the west, he was seen bowling in the New South Wales nets without any visible restrictions and, most notably, was training with a pink ball, presumably as preparation for the day-night Test.

What prompted the shift, well over a month since he indicated requiring a month to prepare bowling loads, and with less than a week to go in Brisbane? Additionally, there are eight more days of rest between Brisbane and the third Test. Should he target Adelaide, it will be over two months since he resumed bowling.

This is acceptable: prognoses can change, medical staff can be conservative, players can be cautious. It’s just peculiar is that during the high-profile Ashes contest in the season, the board officials seem not to think it necessary to provide updates about the captain’s fitness and availability or the evolving status of either.

And if caution is the watchword with the captain, the reverse is true with the opener’s issue. He had muscle spasms in the first Test during two paltry fielding innings, keeping Australia’s usual opener from playing his role in the match and from having any influence when he eventually batted. Though he may have improved, the fact he’d not experienced them before creates concern that they might recur in the pressure of Brisbane.

His inclusion suggests he is due to resume 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 bat down the order. Once more, there is no confirmation about this, just the selection.

This doesn’t mean that sides must reveal a whole XI when picking their squad, and plans can change. However, certain decisions are clearer than others, and considering how Travis Head’s explosive performance drew fan interest, it would cause no issue to clarify where both batsmen are due to bat. A bit of mystery in life is a positive, but manufacturing it out of the clearly evident is unnecessary. If you’re in the business of winning over audiences, transparency is crucial.