Kevin Pietersen is revelling in the banter between himself and his Brisbane hosts - because the verbal jousting is all part of the Ashes experience he loves.

England's South Africa-born batsman arrived in town with his team-mates two days ago, to prepare for the first Test on Thursday, and was quickly confronted with headlines about his "arrogant" nature.

He prefers to term perceived arrogance as necessary "confidence".

Yet otherwise, on the brink of his 100th Test cap for his adopted country, Pietersen has no beef with a partisan media doing its best to unsettle him.

On Tuesday, the baiting took the form of a mocked-up picture - in pride of place on the front page of the Courier Mail again - of him wearing full Queensland-branded regalia and curly purple wig.

"I actually respect the Australian journalists for the way they come at our positions," said Pietersen.

"I think it's fantastic. I've had it for however many years, and know when I walk out the Gabba is going to clout me."

Pietersen was speaking at a press conference at the ground which will stage the Ashes opener.

His original response was via Twitter, and included a riposte about Brisbane's status far below Sydney or Melbourne among Australian cities.

"It's actually something I laugh about, and that's why I responded the way I did.

"I would have preferred a front page in Sydney, but Brisbane ... It was tongue in cheek, having a laugh, just a joke.

"But I respect the journalists in Australia for having a go at the English, and certainly trying to club me.

"It's brilliant. That's what Ashes cricket is about.

"I think today I'm on (the front page) as well. They've dressed me up as something ... Sydney tomorrow!"

As for the allegation of arrogance, he added: "I've got to be confident in my ability.

"Clearly as a South African coming into England, I had to really fight some tough battles and I had to be single-minded in achieving what I had to try and achieve.

"I can't help people thinking I'm arrogant.

"A lot of great sportsmen have that little bit of something to them that makes them try to be the best and want to be the best and wake up every single day wanting to improve.

"I call it confidence - confidence in my ability - wanting to perform every single day.

"I call it confidence; you guys call it arrogance, because it makes for a better headline."