McGrath sets up summer harvest

BRISBANE - Australian quick Glenn McGrath set himself for a summer harvest today when he destroyed the West Indies for the third time in as many days at the Gabba.

The right-armer collected a staggering match-haul of 10-27 from 33 overs in Australia's blistering win, rushing him within two scalps of Test cricket's elite 300-wicket club.

McGrath claimed wickets on each day of the one-sided Test, highlighted by his cheap dismissals of Brian Lara on days one and two.

He returned today to knock over tailenders Marlon Black and Mervyn Dillon to put the finishing touches on a performance that ranks among the smartest in recent years.

"It was his game no doubt about that," Australian captain Steve Waugh said.

"He got the edges and things went his way but if you put them in the right spot the chances are you're going to get the rewards."

And Waugh admitted that McGrath had to work even harder to get the wickets on a new Gabba strip he dubbed a "featherbed".

McGrath adapted to the wicket on the first morning and began probing the perfect line, entrenching his reputation as one of the best bowlers of the past decade.

"I think I summed the wicket up pretty early. In my first two overs I realised there wasn't a lot in it - not too much bounce or too much movement," McGrath said.

"In the first Test of the series it's always great to get on top of the batsmen and hopefully there is happy days ahead."

On that performance, it's hard to believe Lara will end the series as McGrath's only bunny.

McGrath has had Lara's number 12 times, but he has also dismissed Windies' opener Sherwin Campbell on nine occasions.

McGrath, who has a fiery on-field reputation, said he played better when he relaxed and he sported plenty of smiles in Brisbane.

"When I do have fun out there I bowl better," McGrath said.

"But we won't be easing up and if we can play as well as we can there's no team that can get close to us."