Sri Lanka reach World Cup final with tense win

Mar 29, 2011

Martin Guptill started fluently for New Zealand•Getty Images

He attempted to sweep Rangana Herath and was bowled•AFP

There was only one bowler who could have bowled it•AFP

Kane Williamson batted aggressively during the batting Powerplay ... •AFP

Muralitharan removed Scott Styris lbw with his last ball of the match in his final home international•AFP

Upul Tharanga gave Sri Lanka a quick start to their chase•AFP

Tharanga's wicket, courtesy of that great catch, gave New Zealand a real lift•Getty Images

Sangakkara and Dilshan put on 120 for the second wicket and it appeared this could be a one-sided semi-final•AFP

When Andy McKay removed Sangakkara for 54, New Zealand were back in the game•AFP

The win meant Muralitharan was given a victorious send-off in his final home international•AFP

Brendon McCullum unfurled a couple of attacking shots•Getty Images

Jesse Ryder's steady start ended when he edged behind•AFP

Scott Styris revived the innings with a purposeful knock•AFP

... but Lasith Malinga struck back to trap Williamson lbw•Getty Images

Muralitharan salutes the crowd after completing his final spell in Sri Lanka•AFP

New Zealand maintained their brusque attitude in the field as Nathan McCullum had a chat with Sri Lanka's openers•AFP

Tillakaratne Dilshan seized back the initiative with some aggressive batting•AFP

Tim Southee eventually removed Dilshan for 73 to break the stand•AFP

Chamara Silva was bowled for 13 to set up a thrilling finish as Sri Lanka slipped to 185 for 5•AFP

Guptill was beaten by a yorker•AFP

Ross Taylor made 36 before pulling to deep midwicket•AFP

Nathan McCullum was Malinga's third wicket•Getty Images

Andy McKay, New Zealand's No. 11, was bowled by Ajantha Mendis to end the innings•AFP

Ryder held a blinder at point to dismiss Tharanga•AFP

Kumar Sangakkara was soon batting fluently as well•AFP

Mahela Jayawardene lasted just three deliveries before he was trapped lbw•AFP

Guided by Thilan Samaraweera, the lower middle order held their nerve and Sri Lanka celebrated their semi-final victory over New Zealand•AFP