#OTD in 2005: Glenn McGrath picked his 500th Test wicket

On this day, seventeen years ago, the Australian pacer Glenn McGrath picked his 500th wicket in the longest format. He reached this milestone during the first Test of the 2005 edition of The Ashes at Lord’s. 

Ahead of this red-ball series, McGrath had 499 wickets to his name. In terms of Ashes rivalry, Australia had secured a 4-1 victory at home in the 2003 edition. 

England too good with the ball 

The Ricky Ponting-led side won the toss and opted to bat first. However, the bowling unit of England certainly caused much trouble to the openers, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer. Matthew Hoggard took the wicket of Hayden (12) in the eighth over to set the tone for the hosts. 

Harmison drew the blood of the Aussie skipper, with a terrific bouncer, which struck the helmet. He ended up dismissing Ponting shortly. The biggest contributor for Australia was Langer with 40 runs, as they were bundled out for 190. Harmison finished with figures of 5/43. 

McGrath weaves his magic

In the first ball after the Tea break, McGrath induced an edge of Marcus Trescothick (4) with his away movement from a good-length ball, which was caught by Langer at fourth slip. This was his 500th Test wicket, and the entire team and crowd lauded the skilful pacer for reaching this landmark. 

McGrath was impeccable with his line-lengths to dismiss the batters like Andrew Strauss (2), Michael Vaughan (3), and Ian Bell (6) in quick succession. It was the knock from Kevin Pietersen (57), which played a key role for the home team to end their first innings on 155. 

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Australian middle-order display tough fight to post a big score

In the second innings, Ponting (42), Damien Martyn (65), Michael Clarke (91), and Simon Katich (67) were flawless with their batting performances to help the Aussie team in scoring 384. Harmison was again the pick of the bowlers for the Three Lions with three scalps. 

The visitors took a lead of 419 runs and challenged the opposition with a daunting score. 

Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne script an easy win for Australia

It was never an easy task for the English team to chase the score of 420 against the best bowling attack in the world. However, Trescothick and Strauss displayed a strong resistance and contributed 44 and 37 respectively. After their dismissals, only Pietersen could play a big knock, wherein he finished with an unbeaten 64 off 79. 

England were all-out for a score of 180, with McGrath and Warne taking four wickets apiece and helping Australia win by 239 runs. 

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