Aus sets up hi-tech base to regain Ashes

The Centre of Excellence includes a video analysis room, a top-class gym & sports science facilities.

Cricket Australia on Friday opened a state-of-the-art facility that its Test team will use as a base while fine-tuning plans to regain the Ashes from England.

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The new Centre of Excellence in Brisbane includes a video analysis room, a top-class gymnasium and integrated sports science facilities.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said the host nation would use the facilities to gain an edge as they seek to avenge losing the Ashes last September for the first time in 16 years.

The series is due to begin later this year.

"In our short-term planning, the centre will play a significant role in helping Australia win back the Ashes next summer with the Australian team basing itself here in the build-up to the Ashes series," he said.

The long-term goal was to establish a centre that will help Australia maintain its dominance of world cricket.

"The role of the centre is simple -- to help Australia remain at the top of world cricket, not only for today, but for generations to come," Sutherland said.

"We are confident that this new facility coupled with the existing practice facilities will help us achieve this goal.