AUSTRALIAN fans are screaming for a top-order shake up after the pitiful performance of the team's frontline throughout the Ashes series.
More than 80 per cent of the almost 6500 people who voted in a News Limited online poll asking whether the current top order should play in the fifth Test in Sydney answered "no".
The fan backlash comes after repeated failures by Australia's men at the top, who have exposed a middle order that has become increasingly brittle as the series has worn on.
Captain Ricky Ponting has averaged 16 runs in the series - a flattering statistic given he made 51 not out in the second innings of the drawn first Test in Brisbane - and made just 10 and 20 in the calamitous fourth Test.
Opener Phil Hughes appears to lack the temperament and technique to survive long enough to see off the new ball as an opening batsman - repeatedly undone when he slashes at balls that should be left alone outside off stump.
And the fans agree.
Asked to pick their preferred Australian side in our Ashes interactive team selector, less than half of the 853 respondents chose Hughes among their top XI.
But who should replace him?
Victorian David Hussey won almost as many selections, while 251 believe this season's prolific Sheffield Shield run scorer Shaun Marsh deserves a chance.
Once the clear first pick in any Australian team, Ponting has fallen away after his failures this series.
More than 160 fans would not have the current captain in their first XI.
24-year-old talent Usman Khawaja looms as a crowd favourite, winning selection in 422 fan sides despite disappointing returns for Australia A earlier in the season.
Only opener Shane Watson is safe in the eyes of the punters, with his four half-centuries earning him a place in 826 of the 853 teams.
SELECTIONS IN THE FANS XI
828 – M. Hussey
826 – Watson
813 - Johnson
787 – Harris
772 – Haddin
691 – Ponting
536 – Clarke
525 – Hilfenhaus
521 – Siddle
505 – Smith
422 – Khawaja
371 – Hughes
347 – D. Hussey
331 – Hauritz
251 – Marsh
215 – Bollinger
174 – Ferguson
142 – Beer
100 – Cosgrove
82 – Krejza
81 – Paine
66 – McKay
51 – George
49 – Wade
42 – Doherty
5 – O'Keefe
Total teams - 853
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