Ricky Ponting still loomed large as Australia captain Michael Clarke prepared to open the new National Cricket Centre in Brisbane on Tuesday.

The pair claim to have settled their differences after Ponting criticised Clarke in his recently launched autobiography.

But Ponting’s name will be hard to avoid when Clarke joins the likes of Cricket Australia (CA) CEO James Sutherland and Queensland Premier Campbell Newman in opening the state-of-the-art, $29 million facility near Allan Border Field.

The name of Clarke’s predecessor adorns one of two lecture theatres in the Albion facility – the other is named after women’s Australian cricket star Karen Rolton.

However, the big head turner is the centre’s cutting-edge indoor and outdoor training facilities and equipment that CA claimed would help coaches and sports science staff dramatically enhance Australian cricketers’ development.

“Our vision is for cricket to be Australia’s favourite sport and a sport for all Australians,” Sutherland said.

“There are many things we need to do to achieve that.

“Men’s and women’s teams that are on top of the world game are key to Australian cricket’s popularity.

“This new facility will help us with that objective, through its work supporting the champions of today and tomorrow.”

Sutherland said the “second to none” centre’s indoor training area featured a variety of simulated match surfaces that would help players hone their skills on pace and spin friendly wickets.

He said their all-new sports science facilities included the likes of an advanced motion analysis camera system.

The rehabilitation centre includes a three-lane, 25m lap pool and a hot and cold plunge pool.

There are also three medical consulting rooms, a physio treatment area and a gymnasium with an anti-gravity treadmill that will assist in the rehabilitation of injured players.

It is a joint project involving the Federal Government, Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council, Cricket Australia, Queensland Cricket, project managers Johnstaff and builders Watpac.

“The new centre should give us a more competitive edge in the years ahead,” Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in a statement.