Ashes: England skipper Alastair Cook sits out of practice game

England skipper Alastair Cook sat out a practice game Tuesday to receive treatment on his back and could miss a three-day tour match beginning Thursday against a Western Australia Chairman's XI.

Cook, who averaged 127 during his last Ashes series in Australia, is expected to be fit for the first test beginning November 21 in Brisbane.

England batsman Ian Bell says "I'm sure he'll be fine ... obviously a long flight isn't always easy. He'll be right in the next week or so."

Bell played a key role in England's 3-0 series triumph over Australia earlier this year, scoring three centuries at an average of 62.4.

England is attempting to win the Ashes urn for a fourth consecutive series, something it hasn't achieved in more than a century.