Is it the end of the road for Hayden?

Melbourne:

Matthew Hayden might have been adamant that he has not thought of any immediate retirement plan but the 103-Test old beleaguered opener's future will be discussed by the selection panel when the squad for ODI series against South Africa is announced this week.

If Hayden is axed from the one-day squad, likely to be announced on the final day of the SCG Test on Wednesday by the selection panel under Andrew Hilditch, it could also signal the end of his Test career, according to a report in Daily Telegraph.

Hayden is believed to be leaning towards batting on through heavyweight tours of South Africa and Ashes in England but the one-day squad for the five-match series against South Africa starting next week may provide the clearest indication of what is ahead for the struggling opener.

There is a school of thought that with the next World Cup three years away, there seems little to be gained from prolonging Hayden's one-day career.

Former Test batsman Darren Lehmann said the best method of Hayden regaining form for the Ashes would be through Sheffield Shield cricket for Queensland.

"If they want to get Matthew through to the Ashes, why don't they play him in Sheffield Shield games for the rest of the year instead of the one-dayers?" Lehmann said.

With Brett Lee (ankle) and Andrew Symonds (knee) both out injured, Australia's one-day team is likely to have a vastly different look this summer.