Legendary former Australian captain Michael Clarke has listed the seven best batsmen he played with or against.

Two South Africans - Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers - are among the prestigious names mentioned by Clarke.

Speaking on the Big Sports Breakfast show, Clarke named Brian Lara (West Indies), Sachin Tendulkar (India), Virat Kohli (India), De Villiers, Kallis, Ricky Ponting (Australia) and Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) as his seven best batsmen.

Speaking of De Villiers, Clarke said: "I'm hoping he comes back and plays for South Africa again. Superstar. Can bat anywhere in the order. Dominates T20 cricket. He can score runs anywhere around the ground."

As quoted on the Nine.com.au website, Clarke described Kallis as "the greatest all-rounder that I played against".

"The impact he had against Australia - the way he was able score runs against our attack was extraordinary."

Clarke, 39, played 115 Tests and 245 ODIs for Australia between 2003 and 2015.

He scored 8 643 Tests runs at an average of 49.10 and 7 981 ODI runs at 44.58, with a strike rate of 78.98.

In 34 T20Is between 2005 and 2010, Clarke scored 488 runs at an average of 21.21 and a strike rate of 103.17.

- Compiled by Herman Mostert