Aussie quicks ready to intimidate: Lehmann

Australia have the weapons capable of intimidating England with a short-pitched salvo in this summer's Ashes, according to coach Darren Lehmann.

Mitchell Johnson snared 37 wickets during the most recent Ashes series on Australian soil, troubling the visitors with a potent mix of express pace, bounce and aggression.

Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, both capable of hitting the 150 kph mark, have already outlined their plans to unleash a bouncer barrage in the upcoming five-Test series.

Lehmann can't wait, saying the heat will be on England's brittle batting order when the much-anticipated contest starts on November 23.

"It'll be interesting. They'll have to cope with that, they know it's coming. Our quicks have been saying that," he told ABC Radio.

"We can (intimidate England's batsmen).

"They (Starc and Cummins) can certainly enforce some problems ... especially (for) their middle and lower order on the bouncy tracks.

"They didn't like it last time."

Lehmann noted home-ground advantage would be particularly profound during the first Test at the Gabba.

"We know the conditions. It bounces a lot," he said. "It's a totally different ball game than it is in England."

Australia's first-choice attack is already clear to Lehmann and fellow selectors, provided the four bowlers are fit.

Starc made a successful comeback from a serious foot injury during the domestic one-day competition, while Cummins has gone from strength to strength this year.

Josh Hazlewood is expected to return from a side strain in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield.

Nathan Lyon was rested from Sunday's domestic one-day clash at North Sydney Oval, having landed awkwardly on his shoulder while fielding last week.

"Really comfortable with where we're at as a bowling attack," Lehmann said.

"The 'GOAT' (Lyon) has been probably the best performed bowler for us for the last 12 months.

"I'm sure those guys can deliver, they've been very good at getting 20 wickets over the past 12 or 15 Test matches."

Meanwhile, Steve O'Keefe suffered a broken finger playing grade cricket on the weekend.

Veteran tweaker O'Keefe was Lyon's likely understudy for the first Test.

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21