Former Australian Test players have joined the national media in calling for changes to Ricky Ponting's [Images] team for the fifth and final Ashes Test against England [Images] at the Oval next week.

With Australia needing to win the final match to retain the Ashes after falling 2-1 behind following their three-wicket loss at Trent Bridge, most commentators now believe the time has come to make changes.

Former Test batsman Michael Slater has called for the axing of his old opening partner Matthew Hayden [Images].

Hayden has scored just 180 runs in the series at 22.50 and Slater said he should be dropped so Simon Katich can move to the top of the order.

"The time has come for Australia to drop Matthew Hayden," Slater told the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday.

"He's struggled to make runs all series, as he did in 2001 in English conditions and in truth, has been out of form now for 12 months.

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh said Ponting's team only had themselves to blame for their predicament after boasting they would thrash the English 5-0.

"They don't seem to have the hunger normally associated with Australian cricket sides," Waugh told the Daily Telegraph.

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"From Australia's point of view, there have been a few injuries, too many statements in the papers leading up to the series.

"Actions speak louder than words and they need to perform on the pitch."

Waugh's sentiments were echoed throughout most of Australia's newspapers while The Australian's chief cricket writer Malcolm Conn said Ponting's team were also at risk of being branded as bad sports after their outbursts at Trent Bridge.

"Once considered arrogant bullies for their overly aggressive demeanour on the field, the Australians are now in danger of being painted as sore losers," Conn wrote.

DESERVED CREDIT

However, not everyone was laying the boot into the Australians.

Former Somerset captain Peter Roebuck, writing for the Sydney Morning Herald, said the team deserved credit for their brave fightback on the fourth day of the fourth Test when they almost stole an unlikely victory.

Roebuck also took aim at the performance of umpire Aleem Dar who made a series of critical decisions against the Australians which television replays suggested were incorrect.

"The fourth day was a reminder never to discount the chances of a proud Australian team," Roebuck wrote.

"Had Aleem Dar had even a moderate match they might have pulled it off. Instead he made numerous palpable mistakes and the visitors were the victims each time."

The Australian's columnist Patrick Smith also said it was unwise to write off Ponting's men and urged the selectors not to make changes for the sake of it.