TIM Bresnan hopes this winter's Australian Big Bash League will afford him the first chance to test out improvements to his right elbow in a competitive environment.

The talismanic Yorkshire all-rounder is making significant strides towards full fitness after last month's keyhole surgery.

Bresnan is confident the operation to remove floating bone, bone spurs and scar tissue will enable him to get back to bowling at – or at somewhere close to – the pace he had when starring for England.

The 31-year-old has held talks over a second spell of T20 cricket Down Under, having previously played for Hobart in the 2014/15 competition.

Bresnan, speaking as part of Yorkshire's County Championship and Twenty20 kit launch for 2017, said: "That's something I'm hoping to do.

"We're in talks with a couple of teams, although it's up in the air and nothing's finalised. It would be mainly covering injuries or call-ups after Christmas."

Bresnan has had three operations on the same elbow dating back to 2011.

He said: "The elbow is really good. I've been struggling with it for a couple of years and my pace has been down. I've had to up-skill and use more brains.

"It wasn't necessarily getting worse and I think we've managed it really well this year. But occasionally, when we've done a day in the dirt and made a team follow on, it became almost useless. The swelling would mean I couldn't bowl to any sort of standard really.

"I just got massively frustrated, especially on flatter pitches when you need an extra yard. Thinking back to how quick I used to be, I was nowhere near.

"Myself, Ku (physiotherapist Kunwar Bansil) and Wayne (Morton, Yorkshire's director of medical services) had a chat and decided to see Simon Boyle, the surgeon.

"He basically said 'if I get you 60 per cent less pain and two or three more degrees extension, would you take it?' I said 'yes'.

"He then said 'how about ten degrees more extension with the same pain?' I said 'yes'. He then said 'what if I can get you both?'. I said 'that's the ultimate'.

"He then told me that he would be able to get me one of those three things and promised he wouldn't make it any worse.

"It was a no brainer and I could have the perfect scenario. Touch wood, it feels really good at the minute.

"I've been rehabbing quite intensively and the club have invested in some decent bits of kit. They've helped massively. Fingers crossed, it will be back to where it used to be.

"I played golf within two weeks and was pain free, although it's changed my swing. I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or not..."

Bresnan's form in 2016 saw him named as Yorkshire's players' and members' player of the year – and although England are stacked with all-rounders at present, it would not be a major surprise if they came calling again.

He said: "It's not outside the realms of possibility but it will be a big ask because the rest of the body is a few years older. That's a decision for the selectors to make. I'm available if they come calling."

Bresnan, a particular fan of the new T20 strip, and Headingley team-mate Jack Brooks took part in Yorkshire's kit launch.