Cook suggests Bresnan might be fit for Ashes opener in Brisbane

England captain Alastair Cook has hinted that all-rounder Tim Bresnan might be fit for the first Ashes Test against Australia, which starts on 21 November.

According to the BBC, Bresnan has not played since the Durham Test at the start of August with a stress fracture in his lower back.

Cook said that Bresnan would obviously have to have some bowling in matches before he goes into a Test match if possible.

Cook, who held his first official news conference in Perth since England arrived down under, thinks there is a place up for grabs in the tourists' pace attack behind Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, the report said.

The England skipper has plenty of options with uncapped Irishman Boyd Rankin, Chris Tremlett and Steven Finn in contention along with Bresnan should he recover in time, the report added.

England will begin their preparations for the first Test on 31 October with a three-day match against Western Australia, according to the report.