Harmanpreet, Smriti hit fifties in Women’s BBL

SYDNEY: India women’s T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her deputy Smriti Mandhana hit blistering half-centuries, helping their respective sides to emphatic victories in the Women’s Big Bash League here on Sunday. Harmanpreet top-scored with a 26-ball 56 to help Sydney Thunder pile 192/4 from 20 overs against Brisbane Heat after electing to bat. Sydney Thunder then bowled Brisbane Heat out for 164 in 18.5 overs to register a 28-run win at the North Sydney Oval ground. Mandhana also top-scored for Hobart Hurricanes with a 41-ball 69 to help her side score 196/6 against Melbourne Stars at West Park Oval, Burnie. Hobart Hurricanes bowled out Melbourne Stars for 124 in 16.5 overs to record a 72-run victory.

Australia were staring at defeat in the first Test on Sunday, losing four wickets in their record run chase at the Adelaide Oval after being set a target 323 to win by India.

At stumps they were 104 for 4, needing another 219 for an unlikely victory with their fate resting on the shoulders of Shaun Marsh, who was not out 31, and local boy Travis Head who remained unbeaten on 11.

India amassed 307 in their second innings with vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane smashing 70 and first i nnings century-maker Cheteshwar Pujara a composed 71.

A late collapse got the crowd on their feet and gave Australia a flicker of hope, with India’s last four wickets falling for four runs.

Spinner Nathan Lyon was the pick of the bowlers, taking six for 122 off 42 overs. It was his 13th five-wicket haul in Tests. Mitchell Starc snared 3 for 40.

Australia need to make history to win. The only successful fourth innings Test run chase of more than 300 at Adelaide came in 1902, when the hosts made 315 to beat England, with the biggest in modern times the 239 West Indies managed in 1982.

The home side can take some comfort, though, by Western Australia in a domestic match last month scoring 313 to beat South Australia here when Marsh was 163 not out.

SETTING THE TONE

Australian opener Aaron Finch -who survived being given out lbw second ball when a review showed Ishant Sharma had overstepped the crease -- made just 11 in his second failure of the match.

He was caught behind off spinner R Ashwin when the ball whistled past his glove. He chose not to review the decision, which was a mistake. Replays showed the third umpire would have overturned it.

Debutant Marcus Harris matched his first innings score of