(REUTERS) – Co-hosts Sri Lanka held their nerve to chase 218 runs and win their World Cup semi-final with New Zealand by five wickets in Colombo.
New Zealand posted 217 all out in 48.5 overs after their entire top six made steady starts to their innings, but only Scott Styris reached his half-century with 57.
Sri Lanka looked set to chase their total with consummate ease at 160 for one with captain Kumar Sangakkara having scored 54 and Tillakaratne Dilshan 73, only for a mini collapse to let the Black Caps back into the contest momentarily at 185 for five. But the hosts kept their composure and Thilan Samaraweera saw his side home alongside the injured Angelo Mathews, who batted valiantly with a runner, to ensure an all-Asian final with India and Pakistan to meet in the second semi-final today.
Sri Lanka, the 1996 champions, advanced to their third World Cup final with 13 balls to spare, while New Zealand, who defeated South Africa in a similar situation in the quarter-finals, have now reached the semi-finals six times without advancing further.
Scott Styris anchored New Zealand’s 217 from 48.5 overs with a dogged 57 from 77 balls, before he was lbw to the last ball of Muttiah Muralitharan’s final match on home soil.
Styris shared an important stand of 77 for the fourth wicket with Ross Taylor to raise New Zealand hopes after they won the toss but the Kiwis lost momentum at crucial stages, and their last six wickets fell for 25 runs as they were bowled out in the 49th over.
Dilshan played largely against type, more subdued than his habitual tempo, but still finished with 10 fours and a six from 93 balls – to his captain’s seven and one from 79.
A wonderful diving catch by Jesse Ryder at point off an Upul Tharanga square-drive at Tim Southee brought New Zealand’s first wicket but Dilshan and Sangakkara knew crease occupation and strike rotation would suffice – and try as New Zealand might, they did not quite have enough runs to defend.
Dilshan’s dismissal for 73 started a mini-collapse with Mahela Jayawardene falling for just one, and captain Sangakkara following in quick succession.
Mathews, batting with a runner after a thigh strain, then relieved the tension with a huge six as Sri Lanka thankfully crossed the finishing line.
Chamara Silva chopped Southee (three for 57) on to his stumps, but Samaraweera and Mathews kept their cool to get Sri Lanka over the line.
Muralitharan, 38, the world record holder for Test and one-day wickets, will retire after the tournament.