Brett Lee cut a cake in Sydney to start the Ashes countdown

With 100 days to go before the series begins, John Buchanan is finalising plans for a "commando-style" squad training camp in Queensland next week.

"We will be more mentally prepared for the tussle this time as there has been a good break away," he said.

"Physical, technical and tactical foundations should be good."

Veteran spinner Shane Warne, though, described the camp as "one of John Buchanan's wonderful, mastermind things that keeps everyone stumped".

Those pictures and memories are indelibly etched into history, as well as into the feelings of all the Australian team John Buchanan

Several members of the team attended a countdown ceremony on Tuesday overlooking the Sydney Opera House.

Fast-bowler Brett Lee cut a cake replica of the urn bearing the words "100 days to go".

Criticised for over-confidence as they lost a series to England for the first time in 18 years, the team will embark on a tough leadership course in Australia's rugged interior.

Buchanan, a tactician famed for quoting the sayings of fifth century BC Chinese warlord Sun Tzu, said he still smarted at memories of England's wild victory celebrations.

"Those pictures and memories are indelibly etched into history, as well as into the feelings of all the Australian team that gathered solemnly to congratulate the opposition," he continued.

"Since that moment, I think all of us, in our own ways, began preparing for the next Ashes series clash."

He also predicted Australia would deal better with the swinging ball that perplexed them during the last series in England and had eliminated the "wayward" catching and bowling.

England's series victory over Pakistan, achieved last week, was their first since the Ashes concluded last September, following a tough year with injuries to key players.