The door has been thrown open for Usman Khawaja to earn a Test recall after new men's selector Tony Dodemaide stressed incumbency would not be a major factor ahead of the Ashes.

Khawaja, who has 44 Tests to his name but hasn't featured since August 2019, is among those who could come under consideration to open alongside David Warner.

Marcus Harris is also in the frame after Will Pucovski's latest concussion setback.

Khawaja did his chances no harm this week when, batting at No.4 for Queensland against South Australia, compiled 174 in the Sheffield Shield.

The 34-year-old said on Monday he didn't "even worry about Test selection" anymore but insists he still had "desire" and was prepared to play if called upon.

Dodemaide, who joins Justin Langer and George Bailey on the three-man selection panel, relished some strong early Shield performances.

But he stressed he was keen to see those from Victoria and NSW get their chance to impress in a series of matches that are set to be announced to begin next week.

That will include Victoria's Harris, who opened in place of the injured Pucovski in last summer's final Test against India.

"It's terrific that so many players are actually putting their hand up and at the start of an Ashes series you'd be disappointed if that wasn't the case," he said.

"If you're an Australian cricketer and you've got a pulse you want to play in the Ashes and so it's really pleasing to see that players are putting their hand up around the country.

"For me, everyone starts with a clean slate, absolutely. There is a challenge in terms of opportunity, where the players at the moment do have that opportunity to put their hand up.

"I'm really hoping, particularly from a New South Wales and Victoria point of view, that those games materialise shortly so there is more of a chance for players to compete and put their name up."

Dodemaide said incumbent players were "there for a reason" but were no guarantee to hold their spots, and emphasised maintaining a balance of experience and next-generation talent.

"Experience is valuable to have there, there's no doubt about that, particularly in big games and big series," he said.

"So that is important but I don't think incumbency gives a right as such. No one in my view, past or present, has the absolute right to be in the team.

"But certainly with those players that have proven that they can perform consistently at the level, that absolutely is taken into account.

"Australian cricket's always been strong when there has been that really good core of experience in the team and there's also opportunity, which there needs to be, for younger players and the next generation of players to come through."