Pat Cummins avoids publicly endorsing Langer to continue as Australia coach

Pat Cummins has again opted against publicly endorsing Justin Langer, maintaining Cricket Australia’s call to evaluate the coach’s position is”fair” ahead of Friday’s crucial board meeting.

Langer’s contract is one of several issues to be discussed in what shapes to be one of the most pivotal meetings of CA’s directors. Powerbrokers will also consider candidates for a new chairman before it goes to state chairs, four months after Earl Eddings’s exit.

In addition, next month’s Pakistan tour must 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’s contract expires in June, with Friday’s board meeting the last before the team is due to depart to Pakistan.

Langer can argue on-field performances warrant an extension, meaning any decision outside of him retaining the role will be a hard sell to the public. But it has also become clear the focus will be on Langer himself rather than the team’s results.

His intense and old-school 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 of relinquishing 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.

“It lies in Cricket Australia’s hands,” Cummins said when asked if he had the players’ support and if that would be definitive in the matter.

“JL has been doing a fantastic job. He has been there for four years.