After missing out yet again on national selection as Brad Haddin is rested for a pair of one-dayers against South Africa, the Queensland gloveman said he would focus on next year's Ashes tour as he continues his career-long quest to represent his country.

Victorian captain and former Test keeper Matthew Wade was chose as Haddin's replacement, putting him in the box seat to be Australia's back-up during the ICC World Cup early next year.

The move raised plenty of eyebrows given Hartley's strong efforts in the Matador Cup, where he scored 403 runs at 57.17 opening the batting for the Bulls, while Wade compiled 101 runs at 16.83.

Hartley was named in the team of the tournament but it didn't help his cause at the selection table, with Wade given the nod and Hartley, now 32, searching for his first representative outing since he was selected for Australia A's tour of Pakistan in 2005.

He said he wouldn't give up hope of finally breaking through and believed he could press for an Ashes tour if he continued his strong form throughout the Sheffield Shield season.

"The simple fact is there's only one spot for a wicket keeper. You're only ever an injury or a player being rested away from getting your shot. I've firmly got my eyes fixed on the Ashes tour next year," Hartley said.

"History tells you they take a reserve keeper on that tour and if I wasn't there as Brad Haddin's understudy I'd love to be there as the number one keeper, if Brad wasn't still playing."

Long recognised as one of the finest gloveman in Australian cricket, Hartley has become a productive and fighting batsman at the top of the order.

He remains desperate to prove he can translate those skills to the next level and has been crying out for a chance to show selectors how far he has come in nine long years in the representative wilderness.

"You always want to get feedback from the selectors. It's heartening for them to hear them say they are aware of your talents and the performances you are putting on the board. And it's easy to say I'll go back and do that more," Hartley said.

"I suppose the only thing you want to make sure the selectors are aware of is that your game does evolve. Your game does change.

"That's what can be disappointing in these situations…the selectors say they know what you can do but you'd love to go out and give them something more."

Queensland Cricket's frustration over Hartley's treatment by national selectors has festered over time and manifested after the announcement, tweeting:

"@qldcricket: #MatadorCup form: Hartley 403 runs at 57, 1 ton 3 50s, 2nd most runs. Wade 101 runs at 16 with 1 50. Harts robbed again #pickingonform?"

Hartley's only other national exposure was as a fill-in during a tour match in the 2009 Ashes, when he deputised for an injured Haddin and Graham Manou before Tim Paine arrived.