Cummins plays straight bat ahead of Langer call

Pat Cummins has again opted not to publicly endorse or oppose Justin Langer, maintaining Cricket Australia's call to evaluate the coach's position is "fair" ahead of Friday's crucial Board meeting.

The contract of Langer, who would finish with the most successful end to a tenure as Australia coach since John Buchanan if he is not re-appointed, is one of several issues to be discussed in what shapes to be one of the most pivotal meetings of CA's directors in recent times.

Current players have been largely silent on the issue, continually insisting the decision is above their pay level and Cummins was adamant on Thursday it was not his job to say if Langer had his full support.

The Test captain was eager for a decision to made soon though.

"It's part of speculation which I don't think is healthy. I don't think it helps anyone, so I don't want to add to it," Cummins said while launching a solar power initiative.

"That is Cricket Australia's job, it's not my job. I have really liked my time working with JL.

"We have had an evaluation process, I have been part of that. A lot of other players and staff have been part of that. I've got huge respect for JL, I really like working with him. But it's not my call."

Power brokers will also discuss candidates for a new chair on Friday before it goes to state chairs, four months after Earl Eddings' exit.

Next month's Pakistan tour must also be rubber-stamped, with CA expected to approve Australia's first trip to the country in 24 years.

But the majority of the focus will be on Langer after six months of speculation.

Langer has already met with CA chief executive Nick Hockley and high performance manager Ben Oliver, with officials denying reports last Friday's talks became fiery.

His contract expires in June, with Friday's board meeting the last before the team is due to depart to Pakistan. It's expected a decision would want to be made before the team's departure.

Langer can argue on-field performances warrant an extension, meaning any decision outside of him retaining the role will be a harder sell to the public.

His direct nature has come under heavy scrutiny and was a key sticking point for players when the issue came to a head in August and prompted high-powered meetings.

The coach has since made a point to relinquish some control at the request of management, noted by both himself and others during the T20 World Cup success.

Test captain Cummins and white-ball counterpart Aaron Finch have both spoken to CA hierarchy since the end of Australia's 4-0 Ashes series win.

Langer has a number of supporters with virtually all of his ex-teammates vocal in his favour, including Ricky Ponting who told cricket.com.au after the Ashes series win that he could not see how the coach’s contract is not renewed.

"I can't see how Justin can't go on," Ponting said last month. "The way that I would equate it is if Justin is not to be offered another deal on the back of the best coaching year of his life, that's like (Ashes player-of-the-series) Travis Head not getting offered a contract next year.

"(The input of) a couple of senior players would be enough. I don't see why a fringe player (should get a say). I don't understand why they'd even be asking a lot of the players to be honest.

"Pat fine, Finchy fine - the captains of the teams respectively, maybe a couple more of the senior guys - but that's all. I don't think it needs to go any further than that."

Since Australia began employing full-time men's coaches in 1986 only Buchanan has ended his role as coach with two successful major campaigns.

Buchanan ended on his own terms when deciding to step aside after the 2006-07 Ashes whitewash and ensuing World Cup win.

Predecessors Bob Simpson and Geoff Marsh also made the call to move on after successful reigns, but both lost their last series in charge in the 1996 World Cup and a 1999 tour to Sri Lanka respectively.

More recently Mickey Arthur was sacked after a 4-0 loss in India (in 2013), Darren Lehmann resigned after the ball-tampering scandal (2018) and Tim Neilsen quit when asked to reapply for his job (2011).

Neilsen had just wrapped up Test and ODI series wins in Sri Lanka, after a summer in which a home Ashes loss prompted the Argus Review before Australia's first unsuccessful World Cup in 15 years.

In comparison, Australia's on-field success under Langer stands out with the team ranked No.1 in Test cricket after a rebuilding period and having recently lifted their maiden T20 World Cup.