England [Images] opener Marcus Trescothick [Images] is the bookmakers' favourite to become Australian bowler Glenn McGrath's 500th wicket when the first Ashes Test begins at Lord's on Thursday.

McGrath is sitting on 499 Test wickets and will become the second pace bowler to achieve the milestone should he take a wicket in the match.

West Indies [Images] fast bowler Courtney Walsh [Images] retired with 519 test wickets. British bookmakers William Hill have offered the left-handed Trescothick at 9-4 to become McGrath's 500th victim with fellow opener Andrew Strauss [Images] 11-4. England captain Michael Vaughan [Images], who is expected to bat at number three, is third favourite at 7-2.

Australian bookmaker Centrebet had Trescothick at A$3.25, as was Strauss, while Vaughan was paying $4.50 for every dollar invested.

McGrath has dismissed Trecothick and Vaughan four times each in tests.

The Australians are heavy favourites to retain the Ashes for the ninth successive series with Centrebet offering odds of $1.37, while England are priced at $4.65.

McGrath's Australian team mate Shane Warne [Images] is the all-time leading wicket-taker with 583, followed by Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who has 539.

Walsh is third and McGrath fourth.