The Illawarra is hosting a critical Sheffield Shield clash at North Dalton Park with New South Wales welcoming Tasmania.

Not only is that significant enough, but North Dalton Park has already been named as the venue for the Sheffield Shield final should New South Wales be lucky enough to win through.

Right now that appears highly unlikely with the Tasmanians holding sway after amassing 490 in their first innings. Some household names of Australian cricket have featured in the game.

Tasmanian star George Bailey made a magnificent 200 runs in an innings which may have put NSW’s Shield hopes to the sword.

Ed Cowan made 115 to provide the highlight of NSW’s first innings.

Cowan looks to be teaming with Daniel Hughes for another good innings as NSW takes the fight up to the island state in their second dig.

The only thing which may be the dampner on what has been an enthralling contest is the forecast rain on Tuesday.

Having lost game one of the National Basketball League grand final in Perth, the Illawarra Hawks are back in Wollongong to prepare for game two at the WEC on Wednesday night.

The eyes of the basketball nation will be on the Illawarra again to see whether the side considered the underdogs all year can hit back against the might and power of the massive Perth Wildcats organisation. The Illawarra is certainly rallying behind their beloved Hawks.

By mid afternoon on Monday there was only 800 tickets left for sale to the clash and by early evening that number had reduced significantly.

The stadium has yet to sell out this season, but those who have attended games regularly for the past couple of years can attest the atmosphere has been unrivalled to the one experienced over the latter half of this season.

The atmosphere at the Sandpit has been nothing short of an electric and heaven only knows how that sounds amplified to the tune of 5000. Do not miss the Hawks take on the arch enemies, the Perth Wildcats, in a battle which will go a long way to deciding the best-of-five series.