England decided their bowlers were most in need of a pre-Ashes workout after captain Alastair Cook won the toss and sent the Cricket Australia Invitational XI into bat in the tour match at the SCG on Wednesday.

Batsman Kevin Pietersen was passed fit to play as expected for England, with the cortisone injection he received in his knee on Sunday taking nicely.

England selected Stuart Broad, Boyd Rankin and Steve Finn as their bowling attack, with James Anderson and Chris Tremlett rested.

Spinner Graeme Swann will also play, eager to get some overs under his belt ahead of the first Test starting in Brisbane next week.

England’s preparations have been set back by a flat deck in Perth, rain in Hobart and injuries to Pietersen and wicketkeeper Matt Prior – ruled out of the tour match in the hope he’ll overcome a calf strain to play at the Gabba.

Jonny Bairstow will keep wicket for England, while Michael Carberry cements his spot at the top of the order, with Joe Root to bat at No.6.

Ed Cowan and Aaron Finch will open the batting for the Invitational XI, which has been reshuffled since its original naming.

The side includes a collection of first-class batsmen from around the country and members of the NSW squad not picked for the Blues’ Sheffield Shield match against Queensland.

England: Alastair Cook (capt), Michael Carberry, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Boyd Rankin, Steve Finn

Invitational XI: Ed Cowan, Aaron Finch, Callum Ferguson, Kurtis Patterson, Ben Rohrer, Ryan Carters, Peter Nevill (capt), Josh Lalor, Chris Tremain, James Muirhead, Nic Bills, Daniel Hughes (12th)