Tour match, Buffalo Park, East London:
Day one (close): England 317-5 v South African Invitational XI
Match scorecard

Strauss's innings was the perfect preparation for the Test series

Captain Andrew Strauss hit a hundred as England racked up 317-5 on day one of their final two-day tour match before the Test series against South Africa.

Strauss retired his innings on 100 as England enjoyed themselves against an Invitational XI in East London.

Fellow opener Alastair Cook retired on 52 and Jonathan Trott on 50, while Kevin Pietersen found some much-needed form, hitting 71 from 102 balls.

The first of four Test matches takes place in Centurion on Wednesday.

England declared their innings at close of play so the bowlers can have one final workout on Saturday, before the preparations begin in earnest for next week's contest.

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They are sure to discover whether fast bowler James Anderson is in line to win his fitness battle ahead of next week as he tries out his injured knee.

Coach Andy Flower admitted he was delighted to see Pietersen make a timely return to form with his first half-century in an England shirt since returning from an Achilles injury.

"The other guys have been in the runs recently, so that probably was the most pleasing aspect of the day," said Flower. "Kevin getting in and getting that time in the middle was vital.

"You could see as his innings progressed that he looked more balanced and more assured at the crease. That's very important for him."

Strauss and Cook were invited to bat in sunny conditions at Buffalo Park, only one day after England had drawn another two-day game with a South Africa Airways XI at the same venue.

The South African attack proved toothless as Strauss and Cook set about getting themselves into top form, putting on 101 for the opening partnership before Cook retired.

Strauss marched on to a 163-ball century and when he called time on his own innings Pietersen strode out to the crease and hit his second and third balls for four, in direct contrast to the labouring Trott.

Pietersen beat Trott to fifty but carried on while his partner walked off after his at times tortuous 135-ball innings, though Pietersen became the first wicket to fall to a bowler when he holed out in the deep to off-spinner Yasseen Vallie.

Ian Bell missed his opportunity when he chopped a delivery from Keagan Eccles on to his stumps, before Matt Prior struck three fours in a cameo innings before the close.

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