It's been seven long years since the Illawarra Hawks last contested an NBL grand final series. But after stunning the Adelaide 36ers in Adelaide, they are now back in the big dance as history beckons.

Thank God that Australia has a finals system, Melbourne City coach Michael Valkanis declared after his 10-man team had eventually capitulated to league leaders Sydney 3-1 on Friday night.

Graham Arnold and his Sydney team have ticked off their first box.

Port Macquarie trainer Jenny Graham is hoping that her battle with the talented Portatorio will become distant meories after Sunday's Country Championship at Taree.

NSW have omitted Nic Maddinson from their side for the Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania, despite the former Test batsman returning to the squad after a break from the game.

Chelsea's stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points with a 3-1 victory over a resolute Swansea City side at Stamford Bridge.

Steve O'Keefe led Australia to one of their greatest Test victories on Indian soil with a superhero performance that rewrote the record books and humiliated the shellshocked hosts inside three days.

Steve Smith drew first blood in the battle of the captains as Virat Kohli's hot temper threatened to boil over during the final day of India's humiliating first Test defeat.

Perth Glory has rocketed to third on the A-League table after a hard- fought 2-0 win over a weary Western Sydney Wanderers at nib Stadium on Saturday night.

A marvellous Marco Rojas free kick and a deft Besart Berisha strike help Melbourne Victory secure a 2-1 win.

David Aiken and Chris Alford are legends of harness racing but until Saturday night, something was missing. They have it now after Lennytheshark scored the toughest of Miracle Mile wins at Menangle.

Rob Beveridge clashes with former protege Jesse Wagstaff in the classic tale of David and Goliath in the NBL Finals.

Dandenong took on Perth Lynx to open their WNBL semi final series at Dandenong on Saturday night.

Jason Behrendorff has captured the fifth-best figures in Sheffield Shield history with a career-best 9-37 against Victoria.