Former Test captain Michael Clarke has sent a timely warning to selectors to “not make the same mistake” as last summer when deciding on an opening batter.

Clarke – one of Australia’s most prolific runscorers – has joined a growing cast of ex-players to voice their opinion on the hotly-contested spot in the XI.

Steve Smith filled the void left by David Warner for a brief period earlier this year, but has since been told he will be shuffled back to the No.4 spot after Cameron Green’s back injury.

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That has left the door wide open for a new player to partner Usman Khawaja next month, with a host of names floated to wear the baggy green.

Specialist openers Sam Konstas and Marcus Harris are options, while the likes of Josh Inglis and Nathan McSweeney could be parachuted in despite not featuring in the position throughout their first-class careers.

But speaking on Sky Sports Radio, the former skipper urged George Bailey and company to go with a specialist player despite the recent form shown by Inglis in Shield cricket.

“We made a mistake in getting Steve Smith to open the batting in Test cricket, so let’s not make the same mistake,” Clarke said.

“Let’s pick a specialist opener, whoever is best equipped.

“How can you justify Josh Inglis is a better person to open the batting in a Test match against this Indian attack than a specialist opener?

“He scored Shield runs, yes, but he bats in the middle order. It’s not just about who’s making runs right here, right now. That is not how you select an Australian cricket team.

“The problem they have at the moment is the top three contenders who are specialist opening batters are not making runs in Shield cricket. Who gives a shit? It’s been two Shield rounds on wickets that are seaming – who cares?

“It can’t just be about making runs in the two Shield games.”

Another suggestion that has been made in recent weeks is moving Marnus Labuschagne to the top of the order and filling his spot at No.3 with someone like McSweeney.

But according to the man himself, the Aussies will be better balanced with Labuschagne at three.

“I will bat wherever they tell me to bat,” Labuschagne said this week.

“Currently I would say that how I have played at No.3 has been relatively successful.

“If [selectors] think I should move and that is best for the team that is what will happen, but at this stage I think they have made it clear they are going to look down the opener route. Who that is … is anyone’s guess. It is a very open field.”

Clarke believes that Bancroft should be the front-runner after dominating in the Shield competition for the past two seasons, despite a lean start this time around.

“I would probably go with Cameron Bancroft because he’s been the leading run scorer for the last two years in Shield Cricket,” he said.

“I care about Shield cricket. I think he’s earned the right to be selected based on runs.”