Opening batsman Matthew Hayden has indicated that he may review his future with Australia after the series with South Africa but stressed "I`m not anywhere near" retirement and any decision on his future would be based on his performances.

The bulky left hand batsman admitted that he needed to make runs in Melbourne and Sydney or he could be involuntarily retired by selectors. It may be here recalled that the batsman has been struggling to find form all through the season. Cricket experts believe that Hayden might hang his gloves after the three-Test series against South Africa.

Commenting over his recent form, Hayden said, “I'm not looking to [the tour of] South Africa or England at this stage, I'm looking for these next two Test matches, the two most exciting Test matches of the summer.”

"I really want to play good Test cricket for this next series and then see where we're at. We've still got one-dayers and a long summer ahead of us”, added the 37 year old batsman from Queensland.

Hayden said that he is fully focused on the remainder of the series, with Australia seeking to overturn a 1-0 deficit after South Africa`s victory in Perth. Hayden scored 12 and 4 runs in Perth. After losing the first, team coach Tim Nielsen admitted that Hayden’s prolonged bad patch was putting pressure on Australia’s top order.

Hayden has not thought about the 2009 tours to South Africa and England, but expects to perform at the MCG.

"I'm not looking ahead to South Africa or England at this stage. I'm just looking ahead to the next two Test matches, the two most exciting Test matches of the summer."

Meanwhile, former pace legend Jeff Thomson said he would have sacked the embattled opener had he been in the Australian cricket team's selection panel.

"Matty is a friend and while I've got nothing against him, I do think he's past his use-by date," the legendary pacer, who took 200-Test wickets, was quoted as saying by 'The Daily Telegraph'.