Sri Lanka marched into the finals of the 2007 Cricket World Cup with a 81-run
victory over New Zealand in the first semifinal here at Sabina Park,
Sahara Samay sources said. 
Sri Lanka has reached the finals for the second time
whereas New Zealand's loss was its fifth in semifinals.
The win was set up by Mahela Jayawardene, who slammed
a superb century (115 runs) – his second fifty coming off just 28 balls
after the first took 76 – as Sri Lanka made 289 for five in 50 overs.
Opener Upul Tharanga's half-century gave the Lankans
a steady start.
Sri Lanka's innings started in circumspection, but ended in
abandon:160 came off the final 20 overs, an incredible 102 off the final ten.
New Zealand's challenge ended during a period when it lost
four wickets for two runs in twelve balls: to no one's surprise, Muttiah
Muralitharan's wrist-spun doosras were a feature of this period.
New Zealand needed to start assuredly. But, Lasith Malinga's
unorthodox pace didn't allow it. In a spell of four terrific overs –replete
with deliveries that skidded away from the right-hander –Malinga removed
Stephen Fleming, and posed severe trouble for Ross Taylor.
Fleming's leg-before decision was marginal, but it was no worse
than two Sri Lanka's batsmen copped. Deprived of Fleming's assuring touch and
calming manner, New Zealand struggled to cope with Chaminda Vaas and
Malinga.
Scott Styris then began New Zealand's best phase with the bat.
Peter Fulton meanwhile was using the all-encompassing sweep of his bat
arc to punch the seamers. The same leverage allowed him to flick Fernando for
six.
A careless chip ended in mid-wicket's hands, and New Zealand
had lost its form player. Jayawardene brought Muralitharan back after Styris's
departure.
Muralitharan fed the batsmen a diet of doosras. Jacob Oram
pushed atone to be freakishly caught and bowled, Muralitharan inadvertently
switching ball from hand to hand as he dived; Brendon McCullum swept inexpertly
at one for Chamara Silva to take a fine diving catch at short-fine; and Daniel
Vettori was leg-before to another.
Fulton (46) was convinced into hitting a catch off Jayasuriya,
while McMillan's hectoring innings – despite batting in discomfort with
a runner – ended when he tried one adventurous stroke too many.
But, the match had ceased to remain a contest long before McMillan's
dismissal. The tenth-wicket partnership of 59 between James Franklin
and Jeetan Patel held up the brass band. But, Dilshan ended matters by having
Patel caught at long-on.
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