One might speculate whether the Australian cricket board intentionally chooses to be opaque 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 Brisbane match.
Normally, an identical team list would not be much news, but on this occasion it is, due 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 pace spearhead deep into his recovery from early signs of a back injury. 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 everything is on track and his healing is proceeding well, with a probable return to the team in the near future. In theory, Cummins could even join the Brisbane squad in the next few days if he and management so choose. But still, something the claims doesn’t add up.
Going back to when Cummins’ scans were cleared in October, starting the clock on his buildup to match fitness, all official statements from the bowler himself and board schedules suggested he would just be unavailable for the first Test and was scheduled to train at nearly full tilt with the squad in Perth. Coach Andrew McDonald said, “Cummins will be fit to bowl in Perth, and people will be sitting there questioning why he’s not playing.”
Once Cummins got back to his home city following the victory in the west, he was observed practicing in the state facilities without any visible restrictions and, importantly, was using a pink Kookaburra ball, what one would assume as preparation for the day-night Test.
So, why the change of plans, more than four weeks since Cummins said he would need a month to prepare bowling loads, and with six days until the first ball in Brisbane? Not to mention, there are over a week’s break between matches. Should he target Adelaide, it will be over two months since he started training again.
That in itself is fine: medical opinions evolve, doctors may be cautious, players can be cautious. It’s just peculiar is that during the high-profile Test series in Australia’s calendar, the governing body’s representatives seem not to think it necessary to provide updates about the skipper’s condition or the evolving status of either.
And if caution is the watchword with Cummins, the opposite applies with Khawaja’s back injury. He had muscle spasms in Perth during brief periods on the field, keeping Australia’s usual opener from doing so in both innings and from having any influence when he eventually batted. Even if his symptoms have subsided, the newness of the problem creates concern that they could return in the pressure of Brisbane.
With Khawaja in the squad logically means he is set to return to the top order, even though Travis Head made a record-setting century in Perth. Khawaja wouldn’t be picked as a backup or to bat down the order. But again, there is no official information about this, only the squad listing.
This doesn’t mean that sides must reveal a whole XI when announcing selections, and strategies may shift. But some plans are firmer than others, and considering how Travis Head’s explosive performance captured public attention, it would do no harm to clarify where both batsmen are slotted to play. A bit of mystery in life is a good thing, but creating it out of the clearly evident is unnecessary. For those aiming of winning over audiences, transparency is crucial.
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