McGrath and Gillespie deliver more warnings

Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie have sent England another heads-up by insisting they should be targeted - when they bat. Both fast bowlers are basking in new willow sponsorships after self-confessed "outstanding" summers last season, where they scored their maiden Test half-centuries.

"New Zealand made the mistake of not targeting us as potential batting threats early in the series and I think they paid the price," McGrath told The Australian. "Jason obviously watched my 61 from the other end in Brisbane, realised how good my bat was and has decided to join the strength."

The pair shared a 114-run partnership against New Zealand at Brisbane last season - McGrath reached 61 and Gillespie 54 - in a joyful performance for Australian supporters, and the light-hearted mood was again on show yesterday. "Really, 54 is easy," McGrath said. "Once you get to the 60s things really get tough out there. I suppose if Jason keeps working he might get there one day. As for me, a century is next and I see it as being well within my grasp."

Gillespie, who paraded a horse dance from the movie Happy Gilmore on reaching his half-century, said he hadn't decided on a celebration if he brought up three figures. "I told someone a while back I would do a nude lap around the oval, but have been told that's not really an option," he said. Gillespie scored 189 runs at 31.5 in eight Tests last summer while McGrath collected 79 at 15.8.

Acting as Gillespie's spokesman, McGrath, who has singled out Andrew Strauss and Michael Vaughan, said his partner should aim for Marcus Trescothick, who he has dismissed seven times. "I let Glenn make the big calls about who will be targeted," Gillespie said. "When you have the bowling attack Australia have you take whatever dregs you can get. Having Warnie and Glenn and Co. means we have to fight just to get on the board."

McGrath has also planned how he expects to take his 500th Test wicket in the opening overs of England's first innings at Lord's. "I think the perfect dismissal is to hit the deck, go down the slope away from the left-hander," he told AFP. "Whether it's Strauss or Trescothick, they play and miss, and off-stump is knocked out of the ground."