Kingston, Jamaica:
Nineteen Ninty six (1996) Cricket World cup champions Sri Lanka stormed in their third ICC Cricket World Cup final with a 81-run victory over five time semi-finalists New Zealand in a semi-final clash at the historial Sabina Park in Kington, Jamaica on Tuesday April 24, 2007.
Captain Mahela Jayawardene 115 not out, and Upul Tharanga 73, helped Sri Lanka to a challenging 289-5 after their alloted 50 overs. James Franklin 2-46 had the best Kiwi bowling figures.
New Zealand started their reply badly losing their first two wickets with only 32 runs on the board.
However, the ever dependable Scott Styris and Peter Fulton looked as if they would carry the Black Cats towards the Sri Lanka target with a 73-run partnership for the third wicket. But, as the Kiwis chump card Styris went to push on he lost his wicket trying to hit over the top. Styris dismissal, started a Black Caps collaspe as four wickets fell for 11 runs.
The last pair, Jeetan Patel (32) and Jermaine Franklyn (30 not out) put some respectability to the score with 61 runs, as New Zealand were all out for 209, Patel the last man out.
Spin Maestro Muttiah Muralitharan (4-31) ripped through the Kiwis middle order, while good support came from Sanath Jayasuriya (2-57), Tillakaratne Dilshan (2-22), speedster Lasith Malinga (1-21).