If there were any lingering doubts over Glenn McGrath's ability to recapture his best form, they were emphatically dispelled with a career-best performance at the WACA.

McGrath made a mockery of the out-classed Pakistan batsmen, finishing with 8-24 from 16 overs as Australia crushed the tourists by 491 runs before lunch on day four to take a 1-0 lead in their three-Test series.

It was the second best haul by an Australian - behind only Arthur Mailey's 9-121 against England in 1920-21 - and the best by any bowler at the WACA.

McGrath started the carnage when he claimed Pakistan opener Imran Farhat late on Saturday.

The tourists resumed at 1-18 and McGrath took only 20 minutes to open his day four account.

Twenty minutes into the first session, Salman Butt was heading back to the pavilion after a sharp catch in the gully by Matthew Hayden.

Less than two hours later, Pakistan was all out for just 72 in 31.3 overs.

McGrath took some time to recover his renowned line and length after missing the entire 2003-04 international season following ankle surgery.

But the 34-year-old said he felt as good as at any other time in his 10-year, 104-Test career.

"I think the way it finished off, it rates pretty highly," McGrath said of his devastating spell.

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