McGrath: 150 might be enough

McGrath has taken an impressive haul at Lord's

Australian bowler Glenn McGrath has put a chilling thought in English minds ahead of the third day's play at Lord's.

McGrath, who claimed five wickets for the 19th time, has said that a lead of 150 might be enough for Australia not to have to bat again in the second Ashes Test.

McGrath's confident words are a very real possibility after Australia built up a 68-run advantage at 255-5 on Friday.

After 12 overs, England will have the new ball available and know that is their big chance of preventing the world champions going 2-0 up in the series.

"If you look at the way it went in the first Test and this innings, England have got off to a fairly good start, then the wickets have tended to fall," said McGrath.

If we can get 100-plus ahead it puts so much pressure back on England

  Glenn McGrath

"As soon as we find our rhythm and length, things start to happen.

"A lead would of 150 would be brilliant out there and we may not have to bat again.

"If we can get 100-plus ahead it puts so much pressure back on England."

It is not surprising that McGrath is oozing with confidence after his incredible wicket haul.

"It's a big buzz to get five wickets here," he added.

"It's the home of cricket and to get your name up on the honours board in the dressing room is still everyone's aim.

"I tried to remain patient, keep the ball in the right area, keep my arm high to get the extra bounce and it worked pretty well."

Waugh in form

Another Australian who was, no doubt, pleased with his performance was centurion Mark Waugh.

His magnificent 108, sharing in a fourth wicket partnership of 107 with brother Steve (45), was instrumental in putting the tourists in control.

"In 1993 I made 99, so it was good to take that extra step," Waugh said.

"To make a hundred at Lord's is something special. Going towards the century, I probably played worse than I had all day.

Waugh wounded England with his 108

"I was thinking about the hundred and I guess the nervous 90s is aptly named."

Waugh credited some of his success to England bowling "a bit short" and " a bit straight."

"There's a little bit of uneven bounce on a length at each end and they probably didn't exploit that as much as they liked," he added.

However, England's Andy Caddick said that it was all part of game plan that did not quite work out.

"We had a game plan on how to bowl to him and he just tossed that game plan out of the window," he said.

Caddick knows that England have plenty of work to do on Saturday morning if they are to stay in contention.

"We got the new ball coming up in 12 overs and that could be a key," explained Caddick.

"If we can knock over two or three, we'll be back in it.

"They are only 68 runs ahead, so we can do some damage in the morning.

"It going to need a very good batting performance in the second dig and a very positive bowling performance after that."