Buttler was speaking after media reports that Anderson had been ruled out of the match, which starts at the Gabba on Wednesday, due to a calf strain.

"Jimmy is not going to play but he is fit," Buttler told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday.

"He was bowling again today ... had a few spells in the truncated match.

"(It's) just a precautionary measure with an incredibly long series ahead."

Pressed on whether Anderson was always going to be rested, Buttler said: "All I've seen is Jimmy has been bowling and bowling well ... He looks good to me but sorry I can't answer that question."

Buttler said paceman Stuart Broad and all-rounder Ben Stokes were both fit and available for selection.

He said Stokes, who has had a long break from the game and struggled with a finger problem, would be able to bowl a normal workload.

"Ben is fit to play. He's been performing very nicely in the nets," said Buttler.

"It's a massive plus for us as a side."

England are bidding to win the Ashes in Australia for the first time since claiming a 3-1 victory in the 2010/11 series.