Kevin Pietersen found the form and fitness he required ahead of his 100th Test next week, giving his dodgy knee a solid work out with a carefree half-century for England in their tour match at the SCG on Thursday.

After receiving a cortisone injection on Sunday, Pietersen was hardly bounding down the wicket on day two against the Invitational XI, but importantly, England’s key batsman appeared physically unencumbered during a 93-minute stay at the crease.

England took advantage of a second-string bowling attack to reach 5-302 at stumps and trail by just two on the first innings.

Jonathan Trott made 83, Alastair Cook 81 and Pietersen 57, although it could have been much more for the 33-year-old right-hander, who in the end looked as though he wanted to get out and ice his knee back in the pavilion.

Pietersen’s performance which featured seven fours and two sixes was even more significant given he hadn’t spent any decent time in the middle since early September.

But one of the run-makers, Trott said England’s top order stars won’t truly know whether they’re in form until they walk out in front of a packed house at the Gabba.

“Kev seems fine, I haven’t heard him complain about (his knee),” said Trott.

“It’s always nice to see him in full flow and being confident in warm up games.

“But it doesn’t really count now what the guys do, it’s all about being ready and right for Brisbane on that first day.”

There’s been plenty of conjecture about what is ideal preparation for a Test series.

England have complained already about the standard of opposition they’ve been faced with in tour games, although every member of their top six has made at least a half century on tour.

The Invitational XI were good at times, but England proved far too strong.

However, Trott said his side have no reason to complain.

“You’re not going to face the Australian A side every week so you’re going to face people who are State cricketers,” Trott said.

“Today we were pretty happy with the standard of bowling we had. They were a lot better than what people have written about.”

Steven Finn earlier staked his claim for the first Test fast bowling vacancy for Brisbane, finishing with 5-103 to help roll the home side for 304 midway through the first session.

Although he might have left his run too late, with Chris Tremlett still favoured to start ahead of Finn, who possesses a good Test strike-rate but leaks runs.

Josh Lalor took 2-82 for the Invitational side and 20-year-old Victorian legspinner James Muirhead (2-97) claimed big wickets Pietersen and Ian Bell.

Bell was tormented by Shane Warne in his early years and fell twice to part-time leggie Steve Smith during the last series.

It’s a chink in the armour for the England run-machine.

“It was good to get Bell out because I knew Warnie always got him out,” said Muirhead, who credited Warne with teaching him how to remain mentally strong against Pietersen.

“I knew he’d come really hard at me … it was daunting but as a leg spin bowler you’ve got to accept that getting hit for sixes just happens.”