CRICKET:Mahela Jayawardene's masterful maiden World Cup century led Sri Lanka into the World Cup final with an 81-run victory against New Zealand in Jamaica yesterday. They face the winners of today's other semi-final between Australia and South Africa.
The captain took 48 balls to strike his first boundary but paced his ninth one-day century expertly. Sri Lanka scored 102 runs from the final 10 overs to amass 289 for five. Peter Fulton and Scott Styris shared 73 but five wickets fell for 11 runs in four overs as the Kiwis suffered a fifth World Cup semi-final defeat.
New Zealand needed a sound start but a magnificent spell from paceman Lasith Malinga ensured they did not get one. In partnership with Chaminda Vaas they left the Kiwis in turmoil and the first boundary did not materialise until the ninth over.
There was a brief period of respite when Malinga was taken off and Dilhara Fernando replaced him. In his first over Fernando was twice warned for running down the wicket by Rudi Koertzen and bowled three no-balls. Styris, with a century and four fifties already to his name in the tournament, despatched him for two sixes.
Malinga returned and had him well caught for 17 by Muttiah Muralitharan, but no-ball was called and Styris and Fulton recorded their 50 stand. With dark clouds appearing Sri Lanka were relieved to reach 20 overs, the point at which a result could be determined.
