Cricket Australia's evaluation of Langer 'fair' - Cummins

Pat Cummins maintains it's fair for Cricket Australia to evaluate Justin Langer, but refuses to say whether the mentor should remain coach.

Langer's contract is one of several key issues to be discussed on Friday in what shapes to be one of the most pivotal Cricket Australia board meetings.

Power brokers will also discuss the candidates for a new chairman 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 around his job and a preference to have it sorted before the Pakistan tour.

Langer's contract expires in June, with Friday's board meeting the last one before the team is due to depart for Pakistan.

Langer can argue Australia's on-field performances warrant an extension and any decision outside of that will be a hard sell to the public.

But it has become clear in recent months there is more than just the on-field aspect at play. 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.

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

Cummins and white-ball captain Aaron Finch have both spoken to CA hierarchy since the end of Australia's 4-0 Ashes series win. Cummins said it was fair for CA to evaluate Langer.

"It lies in Cricket Australia's hands. JL has been doing a fantastic job. He has been there for four years," Cummins told reporters on Thursday. "His contract is obviously up soon. So they're just going through an evaluation process at the moment which I think is fair and the right thing to do.

"We all get evaluated all the time as cricketers, it's part of a high-performance environment."

High performance manager Ben Oliver is expected to address the board on the coaching situation, after both he and CEO Nick Hockley met with Langer last week.

Directors could then choose to speak with Langer further before offering him an extension or telling him his time is up.

Langer has several supporters with virtually all of his ex-teammates arguing in his favour. Current players have been largely silent on the issue, continually insisting the decision is above their pay level.

"It's part of speculation which I don't think is healthy. I don't think it helps anyone," Cummins said. "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."