Cricket: McGrath making his mark

Glenn McGrath has his eye on becoming just the second pace bowler to take 500 test wickets - before the end of the series against New Zealand.

The metronomic Australian fast bowler announced his intention shortly after taking six for 115 in New Zealand's first innings, boosting his career tally to 487 wickets with the best part of two-and-half tests remaining.

Using reverse swing and variations in pace, the 35-year-old took six for 40 off his final 10 overs.

"The pitch is pretty abrasive and I think about the 35-over mark the ball started to reverse. It'll play a part on the fourth and fifth days, definitely," McGrath said.

* Of the world's pacemen, only Courtney Walsh with 519 wickets has broken the 500-mark (Shane Warne leads the overall list with 568).