Hayden has got to go or the Ashes are England's

JUST like Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden has been a fixture in Australia's team. And now, just like Gillespie at Trent Bridge a week ago, Hayden must be dropped.

Not only that, but I also believe the selectors should have the courage to go outside their official squad of players and call up either Andrew Symonds or Shane Watson for The Oval Test.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But when repairs are plainly needed then do something about it - and this huge match next week is Australia's last opportunity to put things right and save the Ashes.

I still believe the world champions have a decent chance to deny England and it's too early to launch a full-scale inquest into what has gone wrong. There are five days to go and, although Michael Vaughan's team are obviously favourites now, they shouldn't need any reminding their job is not done yet.

Australia won't give up without one heck of a fight, that's for certain, and they will take encouragement from the way they made Vaughan's men sweat over those 129 runs.

But, despite all the drama at Trent Bridge on Sunday evening, the Aussies still have problems. And to refuse to do anything about them would be to display stubbornness, not loyalty, in my view.

Hayden is a terrific player but he's stuck in a form slump that has just gone on for too long.

It's not easy for me to say these things about a former team- mate and it won't be easy for the selectors to drop him. But I believe Australia have to act now.

The big lefthander's shortage of runs goes back a long way. He's averaging 30 in Test cricket over the past year or so and, in this series, the figure is below 25 with a top score of just 36.

Hayden's record of success, up until this run drought, was awesome.

But you can't keep looking back to when everything was going well and hoping something will suddenly click. We are too deep into this series for that. You don't even have to look at the low scores or the dismissals to realise he's struggling. His body language gives the game away and when he trooped back to the changing room at Trent Bridge it looked as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

There is not another specialist Test opener in the squad, but I'm sure Simon Katich could do the job. He's gone in first for New South Wales in the past and looks to have the right temperament.

Promoting Katich would leave a space in the middle order - and I believe the selectors should seriously consider filling it with either Symonds or Watson.

Both have been in great form while playing their county cricket for Lancashire and Hampshire respectively, with Watson scoring a double-century yesterday, and both can give the team another bowling option while being perfectly capable of batting at No6 or 7.

Symonds offers spin and mediumpacers while Watson would be the more obvious pick if the pitch is likely to suit a bit of extra pace.

I know Ricky Ponting has indicated it's unlikely Australia will go outside the squad, unless there are injuries.

But after a third consecutive substandard performance it is vital they tackle the big issues, rather than just talking about them.

If they are not prepared to then I think the Ashes are England's.

The return of Glenn McGrath would be the biggest boost of all, of course. It really is paramount he plays at The Oval, and finishes this series the way he started it at Lord's.

So I'm looking for an attack of McGrath, Brett Lee, Warne, Watson or Symonds and, depending again on the pitch, perhaps even Stuart MacGill. A second leg-spinner, rather than a third specialist pace bowler, could be the best way to upset England.

Whoever plays, though, Australia must eradicate the mistakes that have left them trying to play catchup at Edgbaston, Old Trafford and Trent Bridge.

The huge number of no-balls being bowled is the most obvious example of self-inflicted misery.

England are giving plenty back, admittedly, but the problem has hurt Australia a lot more because Vaughan, at Old Trafford, and Marcus Trescothick, at Trent Bridge, were both 'dismissed' by illegal deliveries.

John Buchanan, the Aussie coach, talks about a zero tolerance policy with no-balls. That sounds good, but it doesn't seem to mean very much because, if anything, the problem has been getting worse this series, not better.

Everyone in Australia's camp is under pressure, but Buchanan has to be feeling it more than most.

He's the guy who must try to get into the heads of the players and then bring them together as a tight, disciplined unit for The Oval.

It's not too late for Australia to save themselves and the series. But it's likely to need some brave decisions and then plenty of bold play to get them out of this one.

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