Sri Lanka bowlers book final spot
Jayawardene scored a fine 115 not out
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Tuesday, 24, Apr 2007 10:56
Sri Lanka became the first side into the final of the Cricket World Cup after a convincing 81-run win over New Zealand in Jamaica.
The Black Caps had got off to the perfect start when, having been asked to field by the Sri Lankans, they claimed the scalp of Sanath Jayasuriya inside three overs.
The pinch-hitting opener had his middle stump uprooted by a James Franklin delivery that refused to deviate off a straight line.
Upul Thranga and Kumar Sangakkara put on 54 for the second wicket before the latter holed out to mid-on as he attempted to accelerate the scoring.
At 67-2, and with the run rate looking sluggish, it seemed Sri Lanka's decision to bat may have handed the Kiwis a decisive advantage.
But the dismissal introduced skipper Mahela Jayawardene to the crease and he went on to provide the basis for the Sri Lankan's total of 289 with a polished 115 not out.
Stephen Fleming, Jayawardene's opposite number in the New Zealand camp, could not follow his example and departed to a Lasith Malinga lbw appeal with just two runs on the board.
Ross Taylor was also back in the pavilion soon after but the match looked as if it could be heading for a tight finish when the Black Caps began to find their feet.
However a spectacular spell of bowling claimed five wickets for eleven runs to rip the heart out of the Kiwi reply.
From 105-2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, Muttiah Muralitharan and Jayasuriya combined to effectively win the game in reducing the opposition to 116-7.
A gutsy 59-run last-wicket stand from James Franklin and Jeetan Patel prodded the New Zealand score past the double century mark, but it was always going to be in vain as Muralitharan finished with figures of 4-31.
Sri Lanka will await the winner of tomorrow's second semi-final between reigning champions Australia and South Africa.