Until January 2008, there were few easier roles than being an Australian cricket selector. The nation of twenty million possessed the world’s best batsman, the finest wicket-keeper to have ever strode the turf, and most consistent pace bowler and the premier spinner the world has seen. This led to a dynasty, a period of dominance unmatched in cricketing history. Since its defeat of the West Indies in 1994/95, Australia has been a cricketing goliath.

However, as Caesar can attest, every empire is doomed to fail, and Australia’s period of dominance ended spectacularly last week, with a crushing defeat at the hands of a proud South Africa. However, while the magnitude of the loss was a shock, shrewd observers would have noticed the Australian team’s decline since its controversial victory against India last year.

An outrageous umpiring decision, questionable catch and fortuitous spell from Michael Clarke allowed Australia to defeat India at the SCG, claiming its 16th successive victory and created a faux sense of security, that its place at the head of Cricket’s boardroom was secure.

While Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Damian Martyn and Justin Langer exited stage left, the Australian selectors have been derelict in their persistence with Matthew Hayden and to a lesser extent, Andrew Symons. While the twin test losses to the South Africans have been steep, the defeats have been exacerbated by Australia’s inability to get off to a good start (Hayden) and its suspect middle order (Symonds). The results in the first two tests would have been far worse had it not been for inspired batting from the tail.

South Africa showed, through its courageous decision to play the remarkable JP Duminy, that players who are extremely successful at first-class level (Duminy averaged more than 54 in the South African domestic competition) are worthy of selection at national level. Duminy’s performance alone was a key figure in South Africa’s victories.

Australian selectors, led by full-time lawyer Andrew Hilditch (along with Merv Hughes, David Boon and Tasmanian Jamie Cox), have shown no such courage. Even after the demoralizing series defeat, Hilditch staked his claim as the Neville Chamberlain of Australian cricket, claiming that even after its worst series loss in decades, this was “not a time for chopping and changing”.

One wonders exactly when Hilditch would consider dropping Hayden — perhaps as he wheels the octogenarian into the nursing home. Since the beginning of 2006, Hayden has been dismissed 41 times at an average of 40.5. In the first four tests this summer, he has averaged 11. He is clearly not the player who once averaged 58. Hayden’s appalling innings last Saturday proved as much, to the point where Australia’s number eight batsman, Mitchell Johnson, looks far more accomplished than Hayden at the moment.

The selectors’ failure to act continues to hurt Australian cricket, while the normally low-profile Hilditch has received a barrage of press criticism, including from the News Limited papers, which noted that Hilditch had not attended the Sydney test, choosing instead to relax on “a beach with his wife and daughter” with the “Australian team in crisis”.

Fortunately for Australian selectors, they were able to avoid a difficult decision regarding the petulant Andrew Symonds after the Queenslander was forced into surgery last week. Aside from being an exceptional fielder, Symonds position has become completely untenable. Since returning from suspension, Symonds has cobbled together 167 runs at an embarrassing 23. Meanwhile, Symonds reputation as an all-rounder also seems ill-founded. The Queenslander has taken only 16 wickets in three years.

The selectors recent intransigence has been compounded by the strong performances of several Australian batsmen at domestic level. Most notably, former Victorian batsman Michael Klinger (who relocated to South Australia last year) has averaged a Bradman-esque 109 this season. Klinger is certainly no overnight success — he captained the Australian under 19 side more than a decade ago. That side contained Australian vice-captain, Michael Clarke. Klinger’s main foible appears not his stroke-play, but rather, the fact that he does not hail from New South Wales. Similarly, the performances of Chris Rogers, Marcus North, Phil Hughes and David Hussey also demand consideration over the out-of-sorts, Hayden (and Symonds). Meanwhile, there is also a bloke by the name of Brad Hodge scored a double century against South Africa three years ago and averages more than fifty.

Matthew Hayden has been a successful member of Australia’s all-conquering side — but his time has come. If Hayden himself does not realise that, it is time for the selectors, and Hayden’s great mate, Ricky Ponting to ensure the right decision is made.