Cricket: McGrath sets his sights on 1000 scalps

"I've never felt younger," says McGrath. File picture / Reuters

LONDON - Ageless Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath believes 1000 international wickets are within his sights.

In a confirmation that he would like to play another Ashes series after this one and play in the 2007 World Cup, McGrath said he would love to reach the dual marks of 600 test scalps and 400 wickets in one-day internationals.

McGrath has a combined tally of 832 international wickets - 508 in tests and 324 in one-dayers - and sits fourth on the list behind former Pakistan speedster Wasim Akram, Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne.

The 35-year-old should overtake the mark of 519 dismissals held by former West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh later this series and become the game's most prolific paceman.

"I'd like to get 1000 international wickets - 600 test wickets and 400 one-day wickets," said McGrath, the man of the match at Lord's after a match haul of nine for 82 in Australia's 239-run win.

"I've still got a few to get there, but I'm still loving it and feel like I can contribute to the team."

On present form, McGrath would need to play all of Australia's next 19 tests until the end of the home Ashes series, in 2006-07, to reach 600 test wickets.

To reach 400 ODI dismissals he would need to play in most of his side's 50-odd one-dayers from October's Super Series to the next World Cup in the Caribbean.

McGrath, whose ankle surgery two years ago has helped him bowl pain-free, said age was not a factor in his bowling - nor in his motivation against England after it was claimed he was too old.

"I think it's all fun and games at the start of a test match, so that didn't worry me one way or the other," he said. "I've never felt younger at the moment."

- AAP