A few too many wickets probably fell but it's good to see wickets falling Glenn McGrath Lord's scorecard

Paceman Glenn McGrath was delighted after taking his 500th wicket and putting Australia in charge of the first Ashes Test with a superb spell.

McGrath returned 5-21 as England slumped to 92-7, 98 runs in arrears.

"It is a real relief to get to 500 and there is no better feeling. I always love bowling at Lord's as the slope in the wicket suits my style," he said.

"We're in the box seat and hopefully we can knock them over early tomorrow and our batsmen can get into the job."

McGrath was modest about his performance after taking his 27th Test five-wicket haul, saying the pitch helped him.

"[The slope] was more pronounced today than any other time I've played here, with the ball seaming into the right-handers," he added.

"There was a certain inconsistent patch on the wicket that seamed back into the right-handers if you hit it, and I was lucky to hit it a couple of times."

The 35-year-old revealed he expected a day in the dressing room after Australia won the toss and batted, only for his side to be all out for 190 inside 41 overs.

"A few too many wickets probably fell on day one but it's good to see wickets falling. They say it's a batsman's game," McGrath said.

"When we won the toss and batted, I didn't think I would have a go at getting my 500th wicket until tomorrow. At least that's what I was hoping.

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"I think we clawed a little bit back to have them seven down for 90-odd."