Lanka down Kiwis, enter World Cup final

Elmo Rodrigopulle in West Indies

WORLD CUP: Hail the Sri Lanka cricketing heroes. They are in the final. Led brilliantly by Mahela Jayawardena and given 100 per cent and more by his team mates, the Lankans had New Zealand by the jogular and strangled them to defeat by 81 runs to enter the 2007 World Cup final in the semi-final at the Sabina Park in Jamaica, here today.

Jayawardena's superb century and unplayable spin bowling by spin sensation Muttiah Muralitharan 4 for 31, supported by Tillekeratne Dilshan 2 for 22 and Sanath Jayasuriya2 for 57 that nailed the coffin for New Zealand with the Lankans being the pall bearers.

Mahela Jayawardena was man of the match.

Did not the Lankans do the jig of joy when the last Kiwi wicket fell.

A magnificent unbeaten 115 by marvellous Mahela Jayawardena which was studded with 10 fours and 3 sixes in 109 balls took Sri Lanka to a massive 289 for 5 in their semi-final against New Zealand. Jayawardena started painfully and allowed the Kiwi bowling look unplayable.

But once he got into his stride there was no stopping him.

Like a lion, he bided his time and had a close watch on the New Zealand bowling and then when the time was right he pounced on them and didn't he enjoy devouring them. It was certainly a captain's innings and could not have come at a better time. When Jayawardena won the toss, he did not hesitate to bat first. The wicket was bare of grass, but the expected bounce did not materialise and the wicket was a slow one like all other wickets in the Caribbean.

Sri Lanka lost Sanath Jayasuriya early at the unlucky figure of 13 for just 1. Jayasuriya played against the line and had his stumps shattered.

Then Kumar Sangakkara came in and reconstructed the innings putting on a valuable 53 runs stand with Upul Tharanga who was going well and showing that he is indispensable. Sangakkara played a little too early and lifted a Franklin delivery to Stephen Fleming at mid on and at 61 for two the innings looked a bit shaky. Sangakkara made 18.

The in came Jayawardena to steady the Lankan innings. Firstly with Upul Tharanga who made his third 50 in the tournament and then with Chamara Silva, Tillekeratne

Dilshan and Russel Arnold took his team to 289 for 5.

At one stage it was doubtful whether the Lankans could get event up to 200. But Jayawardena with some elegant stroke play made the Kiwi attack look ordinary. Sri Lanka's early slow going was because they were not taking advantage of the power play. At the start the New Zealand attack was well disciplined and the bowlers were bowling wicket to wicket.

This slowed the game for the Lankan batsmen who like to have a go whatever the situation.

Lanka's masterly at the latter stages of the game was shown when they blasted the Kiwi attack all over the field and over it as well to smash 102 runs in 10 overs. The Sri Lankans were there in their numbers to cheer their heroes. They were singing, dancing and enjoying themselves and did they not lap the century made by Mahela Jayawardena.

Sabina Park, Tuesday.