Australian cricket selectors have been warned to keep David Warner’s ego in check if the polarising opening batsman makes his expected return to the national team.

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith, who believes Warner is no longer indispensable to Australian cricket, also said he was unsure if the ball-tamperer would be welcomed back into the Australian dressing room.

Warner and former captain Steve Smith are expected to return from a 12-month ball-tampering ban in time for Australia’s World Cup defence, and play a key role in this year’s Ashes Test series against England.

Smith conceded that Warner was an “incredible cricketer”, but said he’s upset a lot of people throughout his career.

“He bats with that driven nature, that intensity, ego to perform. And he’s an excellent cricketer,” he said.

“I think where David has been throughout his career is that he’s pissed a lot of people off. He’s just that type of guy,” Smith added, saying that Warner “needs Australian cricket more than they need him”.

Warner has been in devastating IPL form for Sunrisers Hyderabad and tops the scoring chart with 349 runs in six innings.

However, Smith, who is the only player to captain a country in 100 Tests, believes Warner’s behaviour needs to be monitored closely.

“He’s very driven, I think he wants to do well, he wants to prove his worth again and I think David Warner in that position is probably a good guy to have in your environment,” Smith said.

“It’s when he starts to get bigger than everybody else that probably management needs to be ready for (that).

“Guys like (coach Justin) Langer and whoever is captaining the side going forward need to ensure they stay on top of that and manage that space and that ego well going forward.”

Smith revealed how he personally attempted to rein in Warner’s ego through sledging his intelligence.

“I think he does a lot of unnecessary things on a cricket field. I’m all for playing the game hard and competitive that was who I am,” he said.

“I just used to ask him: ‘Dave, what’s five plus five? Can you give me an answer?'”

-with AAP