The Australian press honed in on one of the key players in Australia's golden era of cricket and called for Hayden to be dropped for The Oval Test -- which Australia must win to avoid relinquishing the Ashes for the first time in 18 years.

England clinched victory by three wickets in the fourth Trent Bridge Test Sunday with a day to spare and now have a 2-1 lead in the series heading into the final Test starting on September 8.

Australian media were unanimous in calling for the sacking of 33-year-old Hayden, who has averaged just 22.50 in a mediocre return of 180 runs from eight innings in the series and dropped several crucial catches.

Newspapers called for selectors to go outside the touring squad and chose Michael Hussey to open the innings with Justin Langer to revitalise the hesitant batting.

There were also calls for another long-term incumbent batsman Damien Martyn (168 runs at 21) to be dropped, and a push for the inclusion of bowling all-rounder Shane Watson and for Stuart MacGill to partner Shane Warne in a twin leg-spin attack.

"Harsh assessments need to be made, and players who have not contributed must make way," The Australian said.

"Opener Matthew Hayden ..... is so badly bereft of form and confidence that he has to be replaced at the top of the order and his inability to change his method of batting has cost his team," the paper's Andrew Ramsey said.

The Sydney Morning Herald's Peter Roebuck wrote: "Hayden looks out of sorts. Alas, the time has come to withdraw him from the firing line. Michael Hussey is the man to take his place.

"Hussey has been in fine form and will improve the fielding. Never mind that he is not in the squad. Are the Ashes to be lost over trifles?"

Hussey starred in the one-day matches before the Tests and has been in great form for Durham in the English county championship.

Roebuck said MacGill must also play. "Since pace is not working, the time has come to try spin. Warne has been forced to bowl long spells and might appreciate the support.

"MacGill's selection upsets the balance of the side, but Shane Watson has made a fine impression at Hampshire."

Ramsey said Australia must summon Watson for the fifth Test. This would allow them to play MacGill on a pitch which experts believe will offer pace and bounce to the spinners.

"Watson is not in (England all-rounder Andrew) Flintoff's class, and there are voices within the Australian dressing room who support the inclusion of one-day all-rounder Andrew Symonds for the final match.

"But Watson offers a seam option which will give the bowling attack -- presuming McGrath, Shane Warne and Brett Lee are all fit -- a balanced look and sufficient variation," Ramsey said.

News Limited's Robert Craddock said skipper Ricky Ponting's blow-up over England's use of substitute fieldsmen said much about his frustration at seeing the Ashes slipping away and being run out.

"The substitute issue just pushed him over the edge," Craddock said. "It gave England a precious psychological boost. They loved it."