By Martin Gough BBC Sport at Lord's

Highlights from McGrath's career In pictures

Glenn McGrath's performance on his last trip to England was so woeful that a respected former Australia batsman and commentator was heard to observe, "pigeon's finished".

McGrath was taken for 0-46 from eight overs by a gleeful England in September's ICC Champions Trophy semi-final.

Suddenly the Ashes looked winnable for England as the man who had tormented them for the last 12 years appeared mortal.

England should have realised they had not seen the last of the pace bowler with the skinny pigeon legs.

Yet another McGrath magic show at Lord's on Thursday, in which he claimed his 500th Test wicket, proved the point.

If they had been feeling more brutal, or if their cupboard of fast bowling riches had been better stocked at the time, Australia's selectors could have cut him loose in 2004.

But Brett Lee was struggling to return from injury trouble of his own and a group of exciting pacemen in domestic cricket - headed by Shaun Tait - were immature.

Those selectors have cause to be glad they stuck with him as in 13 Tests since then, including the opening Ashes clash, he has taken 64 wickets at less than 20 each.

There's no real secret - it's pretty simple stuff but the complicated thing is to keep it simple McGrath on his formula for success

The key to McGrath's renaissance? Not changing a thing.

"He's a class bowler, still bowling as well as ever at 35," said former England captain Graham Gooch, whose career was finishing in 1993 just as McGrath's was beginning.

"He's got control, accuracy and knows what he's doing with the ball. He's got a very rhythmical, simple action."

McGrath himself says he is quicker now than in his prime in 1998 when, he recalls with amusement, skipper Steve Waugh was clocked bowling slightly faster.

He believes he loses bounce when he gets faster, and it is that, combined with an unerring accuracy, which makes him so successful.

"There's no real secret," he said as he sat in the end-of-day media conference with his new "500" boots rested on the table and a broad grin on his face.

"I've always said that if you can land 99 balls out of 100 where you want to bowl it, generally hitting the deck, top of off stump, then you will take wickets.

"It's pretty simple stuff but the complicated thing is to keep it simple."

He's proved if you put the ball in decent areas, no matter what wickets you play on, you take wickets Steve Harmison on McGrath

Bowled for 10 successive overs after tea, he delivered four maidens and conceded 16 runs for his 27th Test five-wicket haul, and his eighth against England.

Again, he stood out on the highest stage, overshadowing Steve Harmison's five wickets, an impressive performance by a bowler at the other end of his career.

"It's a phenomenal achievement," said Harmison. "I don't think McGrath has to prove any points. I'd be very happy if my career ends in 110 Test matches and 500 wickets.

"He's proved if you put the ball in decent areas, no matter what wickets you play on, you take wickets."

Only Courtney Walsh, who claimed 519 victims in a career spanning 22 more Tests than McGrath, has more wickets as a fast bowler.

McGrath was asked if he thought he could pass the West Indies great during this series.

His reply was delivered with the sort of glare he usually reserves for the best batsmen in the world.