Alastair Cook's experience and drive will have him primed to face Australia's pace attack in the Ashes next week regardless of his form, according to opening partner Mark Stoneman.
Cook showed glimpses of his best in what will likely be his last innings before the Ashes on Thursday, posting 70 against an underwhelming Cricket Australia XI as part of a 172-run stand with Stoneman.
The score marked Cook's first score above 50 in eight innings, after he began the tour with a second-ball duck against a Western Australia XI in England's first match and then 15 and 32 against the CA XI last week.
But Stoneman said that won't matter come next week's first Test at the Gabba.
"I think in terms of where he is at and what he's done, it's probably easy come, easy go once his adrenaline is pumping and he's got (Mitchell) Starc and (Josh) Hazlewood staring down at him," Stoneman said.
"That's going to get him really up for it and it's where we're going to see the best of Alastair Cook on this tour."
Even with Cook's 70 on Thursday, his tour average of 29.25 is still the lowest of any English top-order batsmen or allrounders in the squad.
Regardless though, Stoneman insisted the former captain had still been in good touch before the final tour match.
"I'm not sure there is a massive improvement than in the last two matches other than the score," Stoneman said.
"He's been moving well, he's practising hard and hitting the ball well in the nets.
"The only difference here is a score to his name which can help the individual confidence, but someone who has got the experience he can fall back on, I'm sure he is confident with where he is at and getting towards the Gabba."
Meanwhile, all the attention on Cook's form has overshadowed Stoneman's incredible start to the summer.
The 30-year-old, who has played only three Tests, has scored about 50 in all four of his innings, while his 111 on Thursday was his first century for England.
"I'm in decent touch," he said.
"It's been well documented and everyone is critical of the opposition we face.
"In terms of how I've played in the conditions and the opposition I've faced I'm fairly happy.
"Everything has gone well in practice as well. I feel like my game is in good order. It's going to be tested a hell of a lot more come next week, that's for sure."
