Sri Lanka (289 for five) beat New Zealand (208 all out) by 81 runs
Sri Lanka through to their second World Cup final. In the first, they played Australia. They probably will again. Until the last few overs, it was a thoroughly professional performance. Murali scythed through the middle order, while Malinga's new-ball spell was literally too good, beating the bat time and again.

WICKET!
JS Patel c Fernando b Dilshan 34 (38)
The fun and games come to an end as Patel slaps the ball straight to Fernando at long-on. Good last-wicket partnership, but in truth the game was up after that astonishing middle-order collapse.

Over 41: Franklin gets a single, and Jayasuriya then bowls a wide. Sloppy work from Sri Lanka at this stage. Patel comes down the track and flays over cover for four, and then adds two with a clean strike down the ground that is stopped by a slide tackle from Malinga. Patel gets two more with a sweep behind square, and a single from the final ball to keep the strike.
New Zealand 206/9 (RR: 5.02): Franklin 29* (37), Patel 33* (35)
New Zealand need 84 runs to win from 54 balls at 9.33 runs per over.

Jayasuriya is back into the attack as Sri Lanka strive for this final wicket.

Over 40: Franklin sweeps Dilshan fine for four, and then adds a single with the same shot but much squarer. Patel comes down the wicket and slaps a straight six from the next ball, and a rattled Dilshan then bowls a wide down the legside. Excellent last-wicket partnership here.
New Zealand 195/9 (RR: 4.88): Franklin 28* (36), Patel 24* (30)
New Zealand need 95 runs to win from 10 overs at 9.50 runs per over.

Over 39: Patel turns the ball to square-leg for two, and gets a single to third-man. Franklin drives the last ball of the over for a single, and the bottom two are playing Malinga much better than the top two did.
New Zealand 183/9 (RR: 4.69): Franklin 23* (32), Patel 18* (28)
New Zealand need 107 runs to win from 11 overs at 9.73 runs per over.

Over 38: Three singles from the over, and there's frustration as one ball loops just over Arnold at cover before Sangakkara puts down a tough chance off Franklin.
New Zealand 179/9 (RR: 4.71): Franklin 22* (31), Patel 15* (23)
New Zealand need 111 runs to win from 12 overs at 9.25 runs per over.

Over 37: Franklin cuts away nicely for a single, and Patel gets another with a thick outside edge to third-man from a slower ball. Franklin gets a cheeky four with a deliberate uppercut over the slips, and then gets two with a drive into the covers. Franklin gets stranded halfway down thanks to a brilliant diving stop from Dilshan, but his throw misses the stumps and the game goes on.
New Zealand 176/9 (RR: 4.76): Franklin 21* (28), Patel 13* (20)
New Zealand need 114 runs to win from 13 overs at 8.77 runs per over.

Jayawardene's had enough. Malinga is back into the attack.

Over 36: Three singles from the over. Tame end to the game now, with New Zealand's last-wicket pair offering stubborn if futile resistance.
New Zealand 168/9 (RR: 4.67): Franklin 14* (23), Patel 12* (19)
New Zealand need 122 runs to win from 14 overs at 8.71 runs per over.

Dilshan is into the attack.

Over 35: Patel hasn't given up, clumping Jayasuriya over mid-on for four. Two more singles and a wide from that over, but it's a forlorn effort.
New Zealand 165/9 (RR: 4.71): Franklin 12* (21), Patel 11* (15)
New Zealand need 125 runs to win from 15 overs at 8.33 runs per over.

Over 34: Patel chips over midwicket for two, and is then dropped by Arnold at short-leg. Tough chance, straight off the face of the bet. Three more singles complete the over.
New Zealand 158/9 (RR: 4.65): Franklin 11* (20), Patel 6* (10)
New Zealand need 132 runs to win from 16 overs at 8.25 runs per over.

Over 33: Jayasuriya concedes four singles from the over. Another chance, then, for Murali to get his fifth.
New Zealand 153/9 (RR: 4.64): Franklin 10* (19), Patel 2* (5)
New Zealand need 137 runs to win from 17 overs at 8.06 runs per over.

Over 32: Patel manages to survive the final two balls of the over, denying Murali a first World Cup five-fer. For now at least.
New Zealand 149/9 (RR: 4.66): Franklin 8* (16), Patel 0* (2)
New Zealand need 141 runs to win from 18 overs at 7.83 runs per over.

Patel is New Zealand's number 11.

WICKET!
SE Bond b Muralitharan 2 (4)
A straight ball is more than good enough for Bond, sliding between bat and pad and disturbing the furniture. Nearly done.

Over 31: Three singles from the rest of the over as the inevitable is delayed.
New Zealand 147/8 (RR: 4.74): Franklin 7* (14), Bond 1* (2)
New Zealand need 143 runs to win from 19 overs at 7.53 runs per over.

Bond is the new batsman. He had a bit of a Weston with the ball, and has little chance to put it right with the willow.

WICKET!
CD McMillan b Jayasuriya 25 (20)
McMillan hammers Jayasuriya down the ground for six but is then clean bowled by a quicker ball trying to repeat the shot.

Over 30: McMillan blocks three from Murali before backing away and trying to smash the ball over midwicket. He misses, and the ball just misses the leg stump. He gets the next ball through square-leg for a single. Franklin blocks the final ball of the over.
New Zealand 138/7 (RR: 4.60): McMillan 19* (18), Franklin 5* (12)
New Zealand need 152 runs to win from 20 overs at 7.60 runs per over.

Over 29: A quiet over from Jayasuriya, just four singles from it and everyone catches their breath.
New Zealand 137/7 (RR: 4.72): McMillan 18* (13), Franklin 5* (11)
New Zealand need 153 runs to win from 21 overs at 7.29 runs per over.

Over 28: Four singles from the first five balls of Murali's over, and McMillan clips the last ball away for two.
New Zealand 133/7 (RR: 4.75): McMillan 16* (11), Franklin 3* (7)
New Zealand need 157 runs to win from 22 overs at 7.14 runs per over.

Over 27: A couple of singles from the first three balls of Jayasuriya's over, before McMillan heaves a mighty blow over midwicket for a huge six. That clearly caused plenty of apin to the right-hander, who is less troubled by the next ball, which is down the legside and clipped away for four more.
New Zealand 128/7 (RR: 4.74): McMillan 13* (8), Franklin 1* (4)
New Zealand need 162 runs to win from 23 overs at 7.04 runs per over.

Over 26: Franklin survives the over. Which is something.
New Zealand 116/7 (RR: 4.46): McMillan 2* (4), Franklin 0* (2)
New Zealand need 174 runs to win from 24 overs at 7.25 runs per over.

Franklin is the new batsman.

WICKET!
DL Vettori lbw b Muralitharan 0 (4)
McMillan survives the hat-trick ball and then gets a single, but Vettori becomes the fifth man to fall in the last four overs, trapped in front by Murali's doosra. Hitting off, but Vettori doesn't like the decision.

Murali on a hat-trick...

Over 25: Vettori survives the last three balls of the over.
New Zealand 115/6 (RR: 4.60): McMillan 1* (1), Vettori 0* (3)
New Zealand need 175 runs to win from 25 overs at 7.00 runs per over.

Vettori is the new batsman, hurriedly adjusting his thigh pad and spectacles as he makes his way to the crease. Looks like he popped the pads on in a hurry.

WICKET!
PG Fulton c Silva b Jayasuriya 46 (77)
Four wickets in 16 balls as Fulton chips a simple catch to Silva at midwicket. New Zealand are surely finished now, their middle-order folding in a style that England would have been proud of.

Over 24: With the fifth wicket falling, McMillan is allowed to come in to bat, but he's got Taylor running for him. This is always a farce. Two wickets in the over for Murali, but the catch to get Oram looks very, very dodgy.
New Zealand 114/5 (RR: 4.75): Fulton 46* (75), McMillan 0* (0)
New Zealand need 176 runs to win from 26 overs at 6.76 runs per over.

WICKET!
BB McCullum c b Murali 0 (1)
Game over now surely, and Murali has made the difference. Not for the first time. McCullum top-edges a sweep first ball, and Silva takes a brilliant diving catch at short fine-leg.

McCullum is the new batsman.

WICKET!
JDP Oram c & b Muralitharan 3 (7)
Hmm. Not convinced. Oram is deceived by the doosra and chips the ball back to Murali, who dives to his right and palms the ball back and forth. He comes up with the ball celebrating, but I'm not completely sure he caught it. Still, he's claimed it so I suppose he must have done.

Murali is back into the attack. Dilshan has done his job.

Over 23: Five singles and a wide from Jayasuriya's over as New Zealand look to consolidate and build another partnership here.
New Zealand 111/3 (RR: 4.83): Fulton 44* (73), Oram 2* (4)
New Zealand need 179 runs to win from 27 overs at 6.63 runs per over.

Over 22: Oram blocks his first delivery to end a successful first over from Dilshan.
New Zealand 105/3 (RR: 4.77): Fulton 41* (70), Oram 0* (1)
New Zealand need 185 runs to win from 28 overs at 6.61 runs per over.

Oram is in at number five in the absence of McMillan.

WICKET!
SB Styris c Jayawardene b Dilshan 37 (38)
The bowling change pays off in dream style for the skipper, as the dangerous and in-form Styris chips one straight to midwicket, where it's Jayawardene himself who takes the catch. Huge wicket for Sri Lanka.

Murali is out of the attack, with Dilshan brought on.

Over 21: Jayasuriya calms things down, conceding just three singles.
New Zealand 103/2 (RR: 4.90): Fulton 40* (69), Styris 36* (34)
New Zealand need 187 runs to win from 29 overs at 6.45 runs per over. D/L Par: 103

Powerplays are over, which will be a boost to Jayawardene. But he still takes the hapless Fernando out of the attack and brings on Jayasuriya.

Over 20: Murali starts with a wide down the legside, and the next two balls are worked to leg for singles. Styris seems to pick the doosra, and hits it arrow straight high into the stands for six more, before bringing up the 100 with a single to midwicket.
New Zealand 100/2 (RR: 5.00): Fulton 39* (67), Styris 34* (30)
New Zealand need 190 runs to win from 30 overs at 6.33 runs per over. D/L Par: 102

Murali to bowl the final over of the powerplay.

Over 19: Fernando starts over the wicket with a no-ball that Styris smashes for a massive straight six. That's seven. The next ball is another no-ball, and with bad weather around, this is getting New Zealand up to within striking range of the D/L par score. The 20-over mark for two wickets down is 102 by the way. Styris hammers the next ball to point for a single, and Fernando's woes continue with a wide down the legside. Fultondrives wide of mid-off for two more, and then blocks to extra-cover for a single. Styris pushes to mid-on for another single. Fulton then joins the fun with a six picked up sweetly over square-leg, and that's 20 runs off the over.
New Zealand 90/2 (RR: 4.74): Fulton 38* (65), Styris 26* (26)
New Zealand need 200 runs to win from 31 overs at 6.45 runs per over.

One-over spell for Malinga, with Fernando back into the attack. He's at Taufel's end now.

Over 18: Murali appeals vocieferously for lbw against Fulton, but nothing doing. The next ball comes off the outside edge and runs away for four runs. That prompts Jayawardene to put a slip in place. One could ask with some justification why he wasn't there before. Fulton is beaten again by the final ball of the over.
New Zealand 70/2 (RR: 3.89): Fulton 29* (61), Styris 18* (22)
New Zealand need 220 runs to win from 32 overs at 6.88 runs per over.

Well, that brilliant diving 'catch' should have loosened Murali up nicely fo his bowling spell which is about to begin.

Over 17: Fulton pushes through square-leg for a single, and then a potentially crucial incident. Styris chips the ball to mid-on where Murali pulls off a brilliant catch, but halfway through some enthusiastic celebrations the Sri Lankans realise that Taufel has raised his arm to signal no-ball. It's a big no-ball as well from Malinga, and Styris survives - and with an extra run to his name.
New Zealand 66/2 (RR: 3.88): Fulton 25* (55), Styris 18* (22)
New Zealand need 224 runs to win from 33 overs at 6.79 runs per over.

Malinga is back into the attack.

Over 16: Fulton misses the first ball of the over, but a rare error from Sangakkara allows a bye. Styris adds to the frustration by backing away and smashing the ball over long-on for six runs. Two more singles complete the scoring, and Styris is trying to engineer a fightback here.
New Zealand 62/2 (RR: 3.88): Fulton 23* (51), Styris 17* (19)
New Zealand need 228 runs to win from 34 overs at 6.71 runs per over.

Jayawardene takes the final powerplay.

Drinks. Sri Lanka well on top here, but New Zealand are still in there fighting. Somehow they've only lost two wickets after some stunning bowling. And both wickets fell to marginal lbw decisions. But New Zealand certainly can't claim a monopoly on dodgy umpiring calls.

Over 15: Fulton works to leg for another single before Styris decides to go aerial, launching a length ball over midwicket for four runs. The next ball is a wide down the legside, and Sangakkara can't gather allowing an additional run that brings up the 50 for New Zealand. Fulton pushes a single through the offside this time, which is something of a change, and Styris then gets two with a drive through the covers that isn't perfectly timed.
New Zealand 53/2 (RR: 3.53): Fulton 22* (49), Styris 10* (15)
New Zealand need 237 runs to win from 35 overs at 6.77 runs per over.

Over 14: Fulton works to leg for two runs after three dot balls from Fernando, still operating round the wicket. Fulton adds another single through square-leg from the next ball, and Fernando's round-the-wicket angle is not inconveniencing the right-hander.
New Zealand 43/2 (RR: 3.07): Fulton 20* (46), Styris 4* (12)
New Zealand need 247 runs to win from 36 overs at 6.86 runs per over.

Over 13: Fulton works to leg for a single, but Vaas is then able to keep Styris quiet for the rest of the over. Styris content to play defensively to Vaas at this stage.
New Zealand40/2 (RR: 3.08): Fulton 17* (41), Styris 4* (11)
New Zealand need 250 runs to win from 37 overs at 6.76 runs per over.

Over 12: Fernando decides to come round the wicket in an attempt to appease Koertzen. Fulton works to leg for a single, and Styris then gets off the mark with a flick to fine-leg for four runs. Styris tries to drive the next two balls, but gets no timing and grimaces. That injured right hand clearly giving him problems.
New Zealand 39/2 (RR: 3.25): Fulton 16* (40), Styris 4* (6)
New Zealand need 251 runs to win from 38 overs at 6.61 runs per over.

Over 11: Styris survives a huge lbw shout first ball, but it pitched outside leg and this time Taufel rightly shakes his head and the batsmen get through for a leg-bye. Fulton gets the final ball of the over through the legside for a single, and the ball just seems to have stopped swinging for Vaas. Taylor will be annoyed that Taufel hadn't noticed.
New Zealand 34/2 (RR: 3.09): Fulton 15* (39), Styris 0* (1)
New Zealand need 256 runs to win from 39 overs at 6.56 runs per over.

Styris is the new batsman for New Zealand. He's been in stunning form in this tournament, and his team desperately need that to continue.

WICKET!
RL Taylor lbw b Vaas 9 (25)
Taylor tries to invent something, hitting across the line to leg and missing. The ball thuds into the pads and Simon Taufel reckons it's coming back enough to hit off stump. Hawk-Eye disagrees, so Taylor can join the growing list of disgruntled batsmen in this match.

Sri Lanka take the second powerplay.

Over 10: Different game now. Fernando starts with a no-ball, and Fulton then smacks the next ball straight back past the bowler for four. Fernando gets an official warning for running down the wicket, which is not good halfway through your first over. The next ball is a huge no-ball, and Fernando is visibly rattled. Fulton works the next ball to third-man for a single, and Fernando then gets a second warning. One more and he's out of the attack. Big problems for Fernando now, with Koertzen right at him. Another no-ball follows, and again it's a long way over the front line. Taylor gets a single from the final ball of the over, and there are long chats between Koertzen and several Sri Lankan players.
New Zealand 30/1 (RR: 3.00): Fulton 14* (37), Taylor 8* (23)
New Zealand need 260 runs to win from 40 overs at 6.50 runs per over.

Taylor and Fulton will be mighty relieved to see Malinga taken out of the attack and replaced by Dilhara Fernando.

Over 9: Fulton works to leg for a single. Vaas then bowls a rare bad ball outside the off stump, and a relieved Taylor finally sees something he recognises and drives through point for four. Two more singles mean that ranks as a bad over in the context of this innings, although the last ball does beat Taylor.
New Zealand 21/1 (RR: 2.33): Fulton 9* (29), Taylor 7* (21)
New Zealand need 269 runs to win from 41 overs at 6.56 runs per over.

Over 8: Another big leg-cutter from Malinga leaves Taylor's bat dangling pointlessly in empty air. The next ball is a carbon copy, although Taylor might just have pulled the bat inside the line. Might have. He definitely plays at the next one, though. Missed it by a long way as well. In sheer desperation, Taylor charges down the wicket at the next ball and has a huge heave at the ball. And he misses. Taylor decides to stay in his crease again next ball, but the result is still the same. Bat goes towards ball, but doesn't make contact. Taylor blocks the final ball of the over to ahuge ovation from the crowd. Taylor, to his credit, raises his bat in acknowledgement. A maiden over from Malinga, and as close to perfection as you'll find.
New Zealand 14/1 (RR: 1.75): Fulton 7* (26), Taylor 2* (18)
New Zealand need 276 runs to win from 42 overs at 6.57 runs per over.

Over 7: Fulton tries to pull a ball from quite a full length, misses, and Sangakkara takes smartly stood up to the stumps. Vaas strays onto the leg stump, but Fulton can flick it away for only a single. Taylor gets a single to third-man from the final ball of another tidy Vaas over.
New Zealand 14/1 (RR: 2.00): Fulton 7* (26), Taylor 2* (12)
New Zealand need 276 runs to win from 43 overs at 6.42 runs per over.

Over 6: Taylor grins sheepishly at Malinga after once again getting nowhere near a truly unplayable ball that pitches on off stump before jagging away. Taylor manages to edge the next one down to third-man for a single, and it's now Fulton's turn to play and miss. After a solid defensive shot, Fulton the gets another single from an outside edge. The final ball of the over goes past Taylor's outside edge again. An again, bowler and batsman grin at each other. I can think of some other fast bowlers who might have been less amused.
New Zealand 12/1 (RR: 2.00): Fulton 6* (22), Taylor 1* (10)
New Zealand need 278 runs to win from 44 overs at 6.32 runs per over.

Over 5: Fulton plays out a maiden over from Vaas, and Sri Lanka are all over the Black Caps here.
New Zealand 10/1 (RR: 2.00): Fulton 5* (19), Taylor 0* (7)
New Zealand need 280 runs to win from 45 overs at 6.22 runs per over.

Over 4: Malinga continues to produce magical deliveries, ripping two balls past Fulton's outside edge that have Sangakkara in trouble. The first flies through and the keeper can only tip it over the bar for four byes, and the second almost knocks him off his feet. The next one does find the outside edge, but it bounces short of slip and Fulton gets two. He adds a single from the final ball of a brilliant over. Great to watch.
New Zealand 10/1 (RR: 2.50): Fulton 5* (13), Taylor 0* (7)
New Zealand need 280 runs to win from 46 overs at 6.09 runs per over.

Over 3: Fulton plays with the swing to get a single to midwicket, and Taylor then manages to get bat on ball to the slightly less rapid deliveries from Vaas. He blocks three deliveries before Sangakkara opts to come up to to the stumps. The final ball just escapes from the keeper, and Taylor sets off on a mad single before diving back into his ground.
New Zealand 3/1 (RR: 1.00): Fulton 2* (7), Taylor 0* (7)
New Zealand need 287 runs to win from 47 overs at 6.11 runs per over.

Over 2: Malinga beats Taylor three times in succession outside the off stump. The first was the best - the ball leaving the right-hander like a 90mph legbreak and leaving the young Kiwi groping at thin air. Not a bad first over on return from injury. A wicket-maiden, and four other balls past the edge of the bat.
New Zealand 2/1 (RR: 1.00): Fulton 1* (5), Taylor 0* (3)
New Zealand need 288 runs to win from 48 overs at 6.00 runs per over.

Taylor is the new batsman for New Zealand.

WICKET!
SP Fleming lbw b Malinga 1 (4)
A slight variation then - different bowler, and one run on the board this time. It's a marginal decision - Hawk-Eye has the ball clipping the top of off stump after coming back into Fleming, but Koertzen was sure, and the slow rise of the index finger follows.

Lasith Malinga willshare the new ball. His first game for a while, so it'll be interesting to see how he goes first up here.

Over 1: Vaas is right on the money from ball one, and only a thin inside edge saves Fulton from being plumb lbw to the third ball. Fulton gets off the mark with a thick inside edge into the legside for one, and Fleming - mindful of the lbw perhaps - comes down the track to his first ball and gets an outside edge to third-man for a single. So that's improvement at least. Excellent first over from Vaas. As always.
New Zealand 2/0 (RR: 2.00): Fulton 1* (5), Fleming 1* (1)
New Zealand need 288 runs to win from 49 overs at 5.88 runs per over.

Chaminda Vaas to bowl the first over of the innings. He's got Fleming lbw for nought the last four times these two teams have met. So Fleming has pulled rank here - Fulton to face first.

Fleming and Fulton follow the Sri Lanka fielders to start this tricky-looking New Zealand run chase.

Sri Lanka: 289-5 (50 overs)
New Zealand need 290 to win at 5.80 runs per over

This will be a very tough ask for a New Zealand side that have chased down big totals in the recent past. Sri Lanka's innings was built around a beautifully paced 115 not out from Mahela Jayawardene, but was helped by some poor bowling at times from New Zealand, particularly in the last few overs.

Over 50: Bond drops far too short and Jayawardene upper cuts brilliantly for another four, then is rather harhsly punished for a wide when the batsman had moved well across his stumps. The extra ball is a rank full toss that Jayawardene crunches high over mid-wicket for six. Jayawardene chips down the ground for a single, then Arnold swings the penultimate ball round the corner and past short fine leg for four. Arnold smacks the last ball down the ground for a single, and this looks like a great total.
Sri Lanka 289/5 (RR: 5.78): Jayawardene 115* (109), Arnold 14* (14)

Over 49: Arnold misses a late cut from Oram, then drives down the ground for a single. Jaywardene drops on to one knee and dinks a marvellous paddle sweep round the corner for a boundary, then top-edges a pull that drops just over Bond at short fine leg and they take two. Jayawardene then cuts a shorter one to the point boundary to bring up a magnifcent century. A mis-timed drive brings a single but more importantly keeps the Sri Lankan captain on strike for the last over.
Sri Lanka 272/5 (RR: 5.55): Jayawardene 104* (105), Arnold 9* (12)

Jacob Oram is back into the attack.

Over 48: Arnold does the sensible thing and drops one into the off side to give Jayawardene the strike, but he late cuts for a single of his own. Bond strays on to Arnold's legs next up, who gratefully clips past short fine leg and to the fence. This is poor bowling from New Zealand. However, Bond does well to come back and only concede one more from the over.
Sri Lanka 260/5 (RR: 5.42): Jayawardene 93* (101), Arnold 8* (10)

Shane Bond is back into the attack.

Over 47: Jayawardene drives in the air over point, but can only pick up a single. Arnold waits for a slower ball and prods into the covers for one, before Jayawardene drives firmly but straight to the cover sweeper and just the one is taken. Franklin slips down the leg side for a wide - that they scamper an extra one from - and Jayawardene uses the extra ball to carve a shot over short third man and to the ropes for four. Franklin drops unforgiveably short with the final ball of the day, and Jayawardene perfectly times a cut to the fence for another four.
Sri Lanka 253/5 (RR: 5.38): Jayawardene 92* (100), Arnold 2* (5)

James Franklin is back into theattack.

Over 46: Arnold gets off the mark first up with a quick single, then Jayawardene carves a nice drive past point for four. He late cuts for a single, before Oram bowls a careless no-ball. Poor stuff at this stage.
Sri Lanka 240/5 (RR: 5.22): Jayawardene 82* (95), Arnold 1* (4)

Russel Arnold is the new batsman.

WICKET!
T Dilshan lbw b Oram 30 (27)
Dilshan goes for a pre-meditated paddle sweep, but misses the shot and the ball clips his back pad. Umpire Taufel raises the finger, but that looked like it was missing leg stump.

Over 45: Jayawardene prods down the ground for a single first up, then they scramble the sharpest of singles that would've been very tight had Marshall's throw been on target. Patel then bowls a poor full toss that Jayawardene sweeps powerfully and flat down to fine leg, where Bond not only drops the catch bu palms the ball onto the ropes, and that's six. Jayawardene then takes a single, allowing Dilshan to open the face and play a wonderful late dab that skips past Styris at short third man and goes for four. One more single ends an excellent over for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka 233/4 (RR: 5.18): Jayawardene 77* (93), Dilshan 30* (26)

Over 44: Jayawardene late cuts for a single, then Dilshan drives down to the cover fence sweeper for another. Jayawardene drives down the ground for one more, then Fleming makes a good stop at point to keep a Dilshan drive down to one. Jayawardene then sets himself and launches a big straight shot over the bowler's head, and over the ropes for six. One more single from Dilshan ends another good over for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka 219/4 (RR: 4.98): Jayawardene 68* (89), Dilshan 25* (24)

Jacob Oram is back into the attack.

Over 43: Jayawardene picks the gap between the men at long-on and cow-corner perfectly and gets four with a lofted drive. He pushes a single down the ground, a shot repeated by Dilshan for the same. Jayawardene goes for a sweep but misses, the fielders go up for lbw but Ruid Koertzen says no and they scamper a leg-bye. Dilshan drives out to the cover fence from the last ball, where Franklin makes a good diving stop and keeps them to two.
Sri Lanka 208/4 (RR: 4.84): Jayawardene 60* (86), Dilshan 22* (21)

Over 42: Sri Lanka pick up five very easy runs from pushed singles all around the wicket, but New Zealand might be quite happy with that at this stage.
Sri Lanka 199/4 (RR: 4.73): Jayawardene 55* (82), Dilshan 19* (19)

Over 41: Poor fielding from Bond at short third man allows Jayawardene to scamper through for a couple. Next up brings up his fifty by launching one over mid-wicket that Peter Fulton dashes round to cut off before the boundary, and they take two. Jayawardene pushes one more, before Silva carves a full-toss into the covers for a single. Jayawardene closes the over with another push down the ground for one.
Sri Lanka 194/4 (RR: 4.73): Jayawardene 52* (79), Dilshan 17* (16)

Over 40: Jayawardene tucks a single into the on side, before Dilshan pulls down to deep-backward square-leg for just a single. Jayawardene picks up a slightly shorter ball from Bond on leg and helps it round the corner and past fine leg for four, before turning another single into mid-wicket.
Sri Lanka 187/4 (RR: 4.68): Jayawardene 46* (74), Dilshan 16* (15)

Shane Bond is back into the attack.

Over 39: Jayawardene takes a quick single, then Dilshan gets an under-edge on a cut that runs away past short third man for four. He clips a single to mid-wicket, before Jayawardene brings up the seventh run of the over with a push down to long-on.
Sri Lanka 180/4 (RR: 4.62):Jayawardene 40* (70), Dilshan 15* (13)

Over 38: Two pushed singles start the over, then Jayawardene premeditates a sweep that he tickles round the corner to the ropes for four. He clips another single, before Dilshan misses out on a long hop outside off, that he cuts into the ground and just one is taken. Jayawardene cuts in front of square for one more from the final ball, thus ending Vettori's ten overs.
Sri Lanka 173/4 (RR: 4.55): Jayawardene 38* (68), Dilshan 10* (9)

Over 37: Dilshan takes a skip down the step and crashes a drive out to the cover fence for four. He pushes a single down the ground next up, before Jayawardene cuts for one more. Dilshan pushes another single, before Jayawardene clips a rapid run round the corner. Decent over for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka 164/4 (RR: 4.46): Jayawardene 31* (64), Dilshan 8* (7)

Jeetan Patel is back into the attack.

Over 36: Jayawardene ambles a single when perhaps two would've been on. Dilshan cuts out to deep cover for a single, but that's their lot from that over - Vettori bowling well again.
Sri Lanka 156/4 (RR: 4.46): Jayawardene 29* (61), Dilshan 2* (4)

Over 35: Dilshan gets off the mark with a tucked single off his hips, before Jayawardene picks up one more with a tentative push out to deep cover.
Sri Lanka 154/4 (RR: 4.53): Jayawardene 28* (57), Dilshan 1* (2)

Tillakaratne Dilshan is the new batsman.

WICKET!
C Silva lbw Bond 21 (33)
Bond bowls a bouncer to Silva that has him scrambling, before beating his outside edge with a slightly slower ball. Bond then traps Silva in front with an indipper, but replays show that it was a horrible decision, given that there was a massive inside edge. Harsh on Silva, who was just looking like getting going after a slowish start.

Over 34: Jayawardene cuts for a single, before Silva launches a massive slog-sweep over straightish mid-wicket for six. That's certainly one way to break the shackles. He late cuts a single, then Jaywardene cuts in front of square for one more. Silva repeats the shot for the same reward, and Sri Lanka needed that big over at this stage.
Sri Lanka 152/3 (RR: 4.44): Jayawardene 27* (56), Silva 21* (30)

Over 33: Jayawardene very carefully drives out to deep point for a single, then Silva edges down to third man for one more. A careless mis-field by Oram at point gifts another single to Jayawardene, before Silva drives a couple into the covers and no more runs are taken from the over.
Sri Lanka 142/3 (RR: 4.44): Jayawardene 25* (54), Silva 13* (26)

Shane Bond is back into the attack.

Over 32: Silva mis-times a drive that very nearly drops into the diving grasp of Hamish Marshall at extra-cover, and they take a single. The only other run from the over is a Jayawardene nudge to mid-wicket. Vettori is doing an excellent job of stopping the Sri Lankans scoring.
Sri Lanka 139/3 (RR: 4.34): Jayawardene 23* (51), Silva 12* (23)

Over 31: Styris starts off with a marginal wide down leg, then Silva pushes downt the ground for an ambled single. Styris then drops short and Jayawardene pulls perfectly between the men at deep-backward square-leg and fine leg for four. He clips a single round the corner next up, before Silva very nearly pulls a long-hop to mid-wicket. It doesn't reach the fielder, and they take one.
Sri Lanka 137/3 (RR: 4.30): Jayawardene 22* (49), Silva 11* (19)

Scott Styris is into the attack, despite a heavily bandaged bowling hand.

Over 30: Vettori beats Silva with a beauty outside off, but follows it up with a big wide. Silva takes a quick single with a prod into thecovers, but Vettori keeps the rest of the over tight and no more runs are scored.
Sri Lanka 129/3 (RR: 4.30): Jayawardene 17* (47), Silva 9* (15)

Over 29: A sweep each brings two singles from the first two balls, then Silva pushes another to point. Jayawardene goes for a big sweep but misses and they run a leg-bye. Silva ends the over with a guided flick to short fine leg for one more.
Sri Lanka 127/3 (RR: 4.40): Jayawardene 17* (45), Silva 8* (11)

Over 28: Sri Lanka are firmly into the middle-over territory pushing singles down the ground and square. Two singles apiece for Jayawardene and Silva.
Sri Lanka 122/3 (RR: 4.42): Jayawardene 15* (43), Silva 5* (7)

Over 27: Jayawardene whips a single down to long-on, then Silva clips off his legs for another. Jayawardene repeats the shot for the same result - Sri Lanka building after the loss of the three early wickets.
Sri Lanka 118/3 (RR: 4.42): Jayawardene 13* (39), Silva 3* (5)

Over 26: Silva gets off the mark straight away with an aggressive cut for a single, then they scramble a single into the leg side from a Jayawardene prod. Silva gets his second run with another cut, but that's a good over for New Zealand.
Sri Lanka 115/3 (RR: 4.42): Jayawardene 11* (35), Silva 2* (3)

Chamara Silva is the new batsman.

WICKET!
U Tharanga b Vettori 73 (74)
Tharanga goes when looking well set for a big score. He goes for a paddle sweep, but Vettori surprised him with a slightly quicker, flatter delivery that bowled the Sri Lankan opener round his legs.

Over 25: Patel comes back with an excellent over, getting Tharanga to push and prod at six deliveries outside off, with no reward until a drive to long-off from the final ball brings him a single.
Sri Lanka 111/2 (RR: 4.58): Tharanga 73* (73), Jayawardene 9* (33)

Over 24: Tharanga misses with a big cover-drive attempt off Vettori, before getting two with a delicate dab down to third man. They then get two from some horrendous fielding from New Zealand, with a throw to the bowler's end not being properly backed up by Scott Styris, who admittedly has an injured hand, but should've stopped that one. Tharanga takes another single, then Jayawardene survives a big lbw shout. Tricky to see what that was missing.
Sri Lanka 110/2 (RR: 4.58): Tharanga 72* (67), Jayawardene 9* (33)

Over 23: Jayawardene turns a single into mid-wicket, before Tharanga pushes a couple off the back foot through the covers. Jayawardene had to scramble for the second, but made it just in time. Three more singles from the over, and Sri Lanka are starting to tick along nicely now.
Sri Lanka 105/2 (RR: 4.57): Tharanga 67* (62), Jayawardene 9* (32)

Over 22: Almost a big mix-up after Tharanga pushes to mid-wicket, but the throw just doesn't get there in time. Tharanga then launches a big drive over the covers for six, late cuts for a couple, then closes the over with a thin edge down to the boundary for four more. Good over for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka 99/2 (RR: 4.50): Tharanga 63* (58), Jayawardene 7* (30)

Over 21: Tharanga brings up his fifty with a careful turned single into the on side, before Jayawardene goes for a big sweep, but can only take a single. One more from Tharanga into the leg side, but then Jayawardene can't get ther rest of the over off the square.
Sri Lanka 87/2 (RR: 4.14): Tharanga 51* (52), Jayawardene 7* (30)

Jeetan Patel is into the attack.

Over 20: Vettori keeps things very tight for the whole over, with Tharanga only managing a single from the fifth ball.
Sri Lanka 84/2 (RR: 4.20): Tharanga 49* (50), Jayawardene 6* (26)

Daniel Vettori is into the attack.

Over 19: Jayawardene turns one into mid-wicket that's briefly aerial, but they get a single, as they do from an almost identical shot from Tharanga next ball. Jayawardene nicely turns one from around middle stump just behind square leg for a couple, before carefully defending the rest of the over.
Sri Lanka 83/2 (RR: 4.42): Tharanga 48* (45), Jayawardene 6* (25)

Over 18: Tharanga wristily flicks round the corner for a single. Jayawardene tries a pull but it arrived slightly quicker than he was anticipating and the ball trickles to square leg and no run is taken. He gets a single with a late cut down to third man, but Sri Lanka will need to up the rate fairly soon.
Sri Lanka 79/2 (RR: 4.39): Tharanga 47* (44), Jayawardene 3* (20)

Over 17: Jayawardene continues his cautious approach, blocking the first three before guiding a single down to third man. Tharanga gets a single of his own from a similar shot, before Jayawardene blocks the final ball of the over.
Sri Lanka 77/2 (RR: 4.53): Tharanga 46* (43), Jayawardene 2* (15)

Over 16: Tharanga is very lucky to get away with an lbw shout from Franklin, umpire Simon Taufel saying no to one that looked like crashing into middle and leg. They take a leg-bye, then Jayawardene gets off the mark with an unconvinving drive into the covers, and they scramble a single. Tharanga finishes the over with a powerful slash that goes in the air just to the right of a flying dive from Jeetan Patel at point, and to the boundary for four.
Sri Lanka 75/2 (RR: 4.69): Tharanga 45* (42), Jayawardene 1* (10)

New Zealand take the third and final powerplay.

Drinks are taken, and New Zealand will be the happier of the two sides. They have largely bowled a good tight line, and have dismissed Sri Lanka's most dangerous batsmen inside the powerplay overs.

Over 15: Tharanga nearly gets an edge on one outside off from Oram, but a no-ball is called anyway. He then does well to get on top of a shorter one and guide down to third man for a single, allowing Jayawardene to block the last couple.
Sri Lanka 69/2 (RR: 4.60): Tharanga 41* (39), Jayawardene 0* (7)

Over 14: Jayawardene shows some of the caution and restraint that Sangakkara didn't in his last shot, and blocks the remainder of the over.
Sri Lanka 67/2 (RR: 4.79): Tharanga 40* (34), Jayawardene 0* (5)

Mahela Jayawardene is the new batsman.

WICKET!
K Sangakkara c Fleming b Franklin 18 (42)
Sangakkara goes in needless fashion, skipping down the pitch and attempting to clear mid-on with a wristy loft, but doesn't get anything like enough on it and it loops to Stephen Fleming, who takes a solid catch diving forward.

Over 13: Sangakkara gets one of the luckiest fours you are likely to see, skipping down the pitch but aborting the shot halfway through, and gets a big inside edge that runs to the a very fine leg boundary. Sangakkara takes an altogether more controlled single to mid-wicket, and that's the only other run from the over.
Sri Lanka 67/1 (RR: 5.15): Tharanga 40* (34), Sangakkara 18* (41)

Over 12: Franklin beats Tharanga all ends up with a cracking full ball on off stump that shaped away just a little bit. He then drops short and Tharanga adheres to the old adage, 'if you're going to flash, flash hard' and gets four with a big edge over where first slip would've been and down the the fence. He gets two with a morecontrolled drive down the ground, then four more with an uppish drive through the gap between extra-cover and mid-off. Franklin finishes the over as he started, by beating Tharanga's outside edge, this time with a shorter ball that lifted outside off.
Sri Lanka 62/1 (RR: 5.17): Tharanga 40* (32), Sangakkara 13* (37)

Over 11: Oram bowls a looping bouncer that is high enough to be called a wide, but had little real pace on it. Tharanga then picks up another four with a slashed drive outside off. He tries a repeat next up, but totally misses with a big swipe. He finishes the over with a single dabbed down to third man.
Sri Lanka 52/1 (RR: 4.73): Tharanga 30* (26), Sangakkara 13* (37)

New Zealand take the second powerplay.

Over 10: Sangakkara pushes a quick single just wide of mid-wicket, followed by a guide to third man off a no-ball from Tharanga for another. No more runs are taken from a decent return over from Franklin.
Sri Lanka 46/1 (RR: 4.60): Tharanga 25* (20), Sangakkara 13* (36)

James Franklin is back into the attack.

Over 9: Tharanga gets three from the first ball of the over with a nice guided shot between point and extra-cover. Sangakkara then gets four with a magnificent drive, going just wide of mid-off's right hand and down to the fence. He takes a quick single from a tuck off his hips, before Tharanga pushes through to covers for another two. Good over for Sri Lanka, ten runs from it.
Sri Lanka 43/1 (RR: 4.78): Tharanga 24* (19), Sangakkara 12* (31)

Over 8: Sangakkara goes for a big pull from Bond, but he doesn't get hold of it. It's been a rather scratchy start from the Sri Lankan keeper, on whom a lot will be depending after Jayasuriya's early departure. As if to prove the point he misses out on a wayward full toss outside off stump from Bond, only managing to drive to extra-cover. A maiden from Bond.
Sri Lanka 33/1 (RR: 4.13): Tharanga 19* (17), Sangakkara 7* (27)

Over 7: Sangakkara very nearly inside edges on to his stumps first up from Oram, but his back leg saved his wicket that time. Sangakkara late cuts the only run from Oram's first over down to third man, and that's a good start from the big all-rounder.
Sri Lanka 33/1 (RR: 4.71): Tharanga 19* (17), Sangakkara 7* (21)

Jacob Oram is into the attack.

Over 6: Bond keeps things tight until another no-ball from the fourth ball of the over - that's six extras already from New Zealand. Sangakkara gets a single from a very uncertain prodded cut down to third man. Tharanga then gets four to roughly the same area with a thick outside edge, and Bond is not happy with his start.
Sri Lanka 32/1 (RR: 5.33): Tharanga 19* (17), Sangakkara 6* (15)

Over 5: Tharanga gets a leg-bye down to fine leg for first up. Sangakkara watches the next few - including a no-ball - before turning a single through straight mid-wicket. Tharanga then gets four to the cover-point fence with a beautiful drive from outside off.
Sri Lanka 26/1 (RR: 5.20): Tharanga 15* (16), Sangakkara 5* (9)

Over 4: Sangakkara takes a single from a slightly mis-timed pull just in front of square leg. Tharanga has to duck quickly to avoid being brained by a well directed bouncer from Bond, who then spoils what had been a good tight over by bowling a leg side wide. He slightly overcompensates next ball, but Tharanga's drive goes straight to third man and they just takea single.
Sri Lanka 19/1 (RR: 4.75): Tharanga 11* (14), Sangakkara 4* (4)

Over 3: Sangakkara gets off the mark first up with a nice clip through mid-wicket for two, then a guided single down to third man.
Sri Lanka 16/1 (RR: 5.33): Tharanga 10* (10), Sangakkara 3* (2)

Kumar Sangakkara is the new batsman.

WICKET!
S Jayasuriya b Franklin 1 (6)
Great early strike for New Zealand! After carefully watching and blocking the first couple from Franklin, Jayasuriya goes for a big whip through mid-on, but misses and the ball crashes into his middle stump. The danger man goes early, and New Zealand are delighted.

Over 2: Bond starts with a leg side wide, then Tharanga takes the first boundary of the day from a very fine leg glance past Brendon McCullum and down to the fence. After just getting away with another one down the leg side, Bond serves up another on leg stump, which Tharanga clips for another four, despite a despairing dive from Franklin at fine leg. Bond finishes the over with an absolute peach that just sneaks past Tharanga's outside edge, but that was an expensive opening set from Bond.
Sri Lanka 13/0 (RR: 6.50): Tharanga 10* (9), Jayasuriya 1* (3)

Shane Bond will share the new ball.

Over 1: Tharanga gets himself and Sri Lanka off the mark from the second ball of the match with a nice clip to square leg. Jayasuriya is rather watchful first up, before snatching a rushed single to point. A better throw would've run Tharanga out at the batsman's end, but they get away with it. Franklin slides a wide down leg side, before Tharanga takes a single from a very streaky, slightly uppish drive through a vacant gully region. Nervous start from Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka 4/0 (RR: 4.00): Tharanga 2* (3), Jayasuriya 1* (3)

James Franklin will open the bowling for New Zealand.

The players are out on to the field - Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga will open the batting for Sri Lanka.

The good news for both teams is that their key bowlers are both back - Lasith Malinga for Sri Lanka, and Shane Bond for New Zealand.

Jacob Oram is fit again and will play, while Jeetan Patel's impressive spell against Australia means he retains his place in the side.

Teams:

New Zealand: Fulton, Fleming (capt), Taylor, Styris, McMillan, Oram, McCullum (wkt), Vettori, Franklin, Bond, Patel.

Sri Lanka: Tharanga, Jayasuriya, Sangakkara (wkt), Jayawardene (capt), Silva, Dilshan, Arnold, Vaas, Malinga, Muralitharan, Fernando.

Afternoon, and welcome to the first semi-final of the World Cup between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Mahela Jayawardene has won the toss, and has chosen to bat first.