Lillee predicts McGrath will be the greatest

PERTH - Australian fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee has predicted Glenn McGrath will eventually be regarded as the greatest bowler in cricket history.

McGrath needs just two wickets in tomorrow's second Test against the West Indies in Perth to reach the 300-wicket milestone but Lillee thinks the paceman may eventually double that haul.

"Glenn is not only a great guy but a great bowler and will probably end up being regarded as the greatest bowler of all time," Lillee said.

"He's said (he wants) 500 wickets but if he keeps himself as fit as he is now he could go on and get 550 or 600."

Lillee remains Australia's greatest fast bowler after taking 355 wickets in 71 Tests before retiring in 1983-84.

His 300 came in 56 Tests, outstripping McGrath, who plays his 64th Test from Friday with 298 scalps.

McGrath has rattled up 134 wickets from his last 26 Tests, including a stunning return of 10-27 in last weekend's crushing first Test win in Brisbane.

He has terrorised the Windies in his last five Tests, taking 40 wickets at the remarkable average of 13.37 to cement his reputation as one of the best bowlers in the past decade.

The 30-year-old has already stated his desire to play 100 Tests, setting his sights well beyond this weekend's pending milestone.

McGrath has even mapped out a plan for his 300th wicket, hoping to snare Windies' star Brian Lara for the 13th time in Tests.

"Maybe Sherwin Campbell the first wicket and Brian for the 300 would be perfect," McGrath said.

"It would be a big buzz to get 300 and hopefully I can knock it over early." Lillee expects the Test to be over early, predicting Australia will claim its world record 12th consecutive win inside three days.

"Going on the wickets they've produced for the last three or four Tests, I'd be booking a fishing trip for Monday," Lillee said.

WACA Ground curator Richard Winter has produced a typically fast and bouncy wicket, predicting the track will become even quicker on the second and third days.

Both teams will have their final training sessions today, with Australia still deciding on the final bowling attack.

Coach John Buchanan was pondering whether to use four quicks or stick with leg-spinner Stuart MacGill after his sound performance in the first Test. MacGill or Queensland paceman Andrew Bichel will carry the drinks.