Tremlett unconcerned with 'rusty' England

Chris Tremlett, one of three England fast bowlers fighting for a place in the first Ashes Test, shrugged off England's struggles on the opening day of the tour.

England failed to find control with the ball on day one of the first warm-up match in Perth, conceding over four runs an over as none of the contenders for the third-seamer spot in Brisbane made a favourable impression.

Tremlett, who was given the new ball but took 0 for 71 in 17 overs, blamed rustiness for England's poor performance and insisted they are feeling their way into the tour.

"I don't think we're concerned today," Tremlett said. "It's the first day, it's been a massive jump in workload for all of us. The most we'd bowled in a day was about four or five overs in the past week or so. We knew it was going to be tough - the wicket was a good wicket, and it's hot.

"The pitch wasn't quite what we expected from what it was last time. But we were pretty inconsistent and I think we were all a little bit rusty, and we probably struggled with our length more than anything. We were a little bit too short and a bit too full at times."

This opening warm-up has been billed as a shoot-out between England's three tall fast bowlers, with Steven Finn and Boyd Rankin vying for a Test spot with Tremlett. But it was Tremlett who was given the opportunity with the new ball.

"It was nice to get that opportunity - I always enjoy bowling with Jimmy. I think we kind of complement each other," Tremlett said. "Whichever role I'm given in the side, I'll take it, whether it's the new ball or a slighter older ball.

"In the back of our minds, obviously we all want to play and have that spot at Brisbane, but today it was about bowling as a unit and trying to do the right thing for the team. Unfortunately today we weren't quite good enough bowling together.

"But If you're bowling badly a few days before the Test match, that's when you're going to be panicking a little bit. I think we can all take some good things out of today. We all had some good spells at times, but the overall picture we were a bit off the radar as a whole."

The best news of the day for England came off the field as captain Alastair Cook returned to light training. Cook was ruled out of the Perth warm-up with a sore back.

"By all accounts he's feeling a lot better today," Tremlett said. "I think he had a bit of a stiff back over the last couple of days. But he has been in the nets and in the gym, and he has been in good spirits in the dressing room, so hopefully he's back out there in the next game."