Sri Lanka produced a superb all-round performance to beat New Zealand by 81 runs in Jamaica and claim a place in the World Cup final.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene made an unbeaten 115 off 109 balls as they posted an impressive total of 289-5.

A third wicket stand of 73 between Peter Fulton (47) and Scott Styris (37) gave New Zealand a glimmer of hope.

But Muttiah Muralitharan swept away the middle order, taking 4-31, and they were all out for 208 in 41.4 overs.

606: DEBATE Give your thoughts on the match

By Ben Dirs

Text us on 84040, e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with 'For Ben Dirs' in the subject) or use 606

NEW ZEALAND INNINGS

42nd over: WICKET - Patel 34, NZ 208
Franklin is almost run out at the non-striker's end, he would have been out by yards given a direct hit. Cheeky reverse sweep by Franklin, but it's all over next ball, Patel sticking Dilshan down Fernando's gullet at long-on. A breeze for Sri Lanka, who win by 81 runs and make their second World Cup final. I'm off to the Costa Blanca for some golf on Friday, so it's Fordyce from here on in. Thanks for reading, and I'll speak to you all soon. Deary, deary me, I feel a little weepy...

41st over: 206-9
A couple of leg-side wides from Jayasuriya before Patel uses his feet and carts the old man over extra-cover for four. That's the Kiwi 200. Patel, who is surely the best number 11 I've seen in this tournament, chips Jayasuriya over long-off for another couple, Malinga and Murali combining to save four. Not exactly clinical this, it fact it's about as clinical as a back-street dentist in Dalston.

40th over: 195-9
Franklin yanks Dilshan round the corner for four before Patel shows some defiance, marmalising the spinner over long-off for a maximum - the partnership is 45 now, some decent wag in a hopeless cause.

39th over: 183-9
Malinga is clipped to square-leg by Patel for a couple. For the love of God, someone end this now! Flemo up on the balcony, he looks like he's just been told his pet dog has been run over. Either that, or he's listening to Keane. Four from the over.

38th over: 179-9
Patel tries to go over the top and the ball just evades Arnold at extra-cover. Franklin late-cuts and feathers a catch to Sangakkara, but the gloveman is unable to make it stick.

37th over: 176-9
The Slinga is the man charged with mopping up this New Zealand innings, and the chances are he'll oblige. Franklin chops a shortish delivery down to third-man for one and Patel plays uppishly to deep backward-point for a single. Malinga getting his figures messed up a bit here, Franklin deliberately upper-cutting him to the third-man fence for four. Franklin, frozen mid-pitch, is almost run out by Arnold, but the throw misses. The Kiwis still there, but they're just awaiting the knockout blow.

36th over: 168-9
Dilshan drops short and Franklin tugs him to backward square-leg for one. Patel flicks Dilshan away for a single and Franklin picks up a single with a glide to third-man.

35th over: 165-9
Patel walks down the pitch to Jayasuriya and whips him over the head of the man at wide mid-on and away for four.

34th over: 158-9
Patel flips Murali through mid-wicket for a couple before he survives a very sharp caught and bowled chance, the ball bouncing in and out of Arnold's hands at short leg. One more for Patel, a flick to mid-on, and the Kiwis are like a defeated boxer in the final rounds, lurching all over the ring and swinging the odd wild blow.

33rd over: 153-9
Apparently, a 'squib' is a type of firework, so a damp one is one that is unlikely to explode. Four singles from the over.

"Forgive my ignorance, what exactly is a 'squib' and how is it affected by damp?"
Name not important in the TMS inbox

32nd over: WICKET - Bond b Muralitharan 2, NZ 149-9
One wicket needed for Sri Lanka now, Bond bowled by one that pitched and spun through the gate. Shane didn't have a clue about that one. Patel is the last batsman, and he survives a bat-pad catch first up.

31st over: WICKET - McMillan b Jayasuriya 25, NZ 144-8
McMillan clobbers Jayasuriya over wide long-on for another maximum, but takes one liberty too many next ball, charging down the track and getting himself bowled. Where's that fat Doris? Someone give her a nudge. Bond is the new man as he's off the mark with a single. Franklin is almost caught at mid-wicket, but gets two for the shot.

30th over: 138-7
McMillan picks up a single with a flick to square-leg, but it's just one from the over and my World Cup is ending in a very damp squib. Sorry everyone, I blame myself, I haven't covered a decent match yet...

29th over: 137-7
Three singles from that over and New Zealand are heading for their World Cup semi-final defeat.

"Dear Ben, I am worried about you. I have sent four very witty contributions today and you have published none of them. Are you ill?"
Paul Stapleton, Lima, Peru, in the TMS inbox

28th over: 134-7
Two singles from Franklin and McMillan before Murali gets one to fizz across the face of Franklin's bat. Plenty of replays of the Oram dismissal and a suggestion that Murali actually grassed that caught-and-bowled. Almost impossible to tell, but Oram would have gone soon anyway, he hasn't got a ruddy clue how to play Murali.

27th over: 128-7
School captain Franklin is next up. McMillan gives him the strike with a clip to leg and Franklin is off the dreaded goose egg with a flip round the corner. McMillan's not going to hang about here, and he clouts Jayasuriya over wide long-one for a huge maximum. Jayasuriya slides onto McMillan's pads and is tickled round the corner for four. Bit of breathing space for the Kiwis.

26th over: WICKET - Vettori lbw b Muralitharan 0, NZ 116-7
Hat-trick ball for Murali, and it's McMillan to face it...three men around the bat, plus the keeper, but McMillan gets forward and blocks it. McMillan is off the mark with a clip to square-leg, but Vettori is gone next ball, padding up to a ball that straightened. This is like watching England, four wickets now for five runs.

"Re Bill Oddie, Reading have one of the best footy chants ever - 'Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie, rub your beard all over my body' (sung to the tune of Madonna's Erotica."
Cen in the TMS inbox

25th over: WICKET - Fulton c Silva b Jayasuriya 46, NZ 115-6
The game's almost up for the Kiwis now, Two Metre Peter trying to whip Jayasuriya through mid-wicket, finding a leading edge and Silva taking a simple catch. Four wickets for 10 runs in three overs. Whoops.

WICKET - McCullum c Silva b Muralitharan 0, NZ 114-5
McCullum gone first ball, top-edging a sweep and Silva taking another good catch on the run. The Kiwis is serious trouble now - McMillan is the next batter, and he's got Taylor as a runner because of his strained stomach muscle.

24th over: WICKET - Oram c&b Muralitharan 3, NZ 114-4
The Dilshan experiment lasts just the one over, and it's Murali again. He's got the Indian sign over Oram...and the big man's gone! Oram chips a doosra straight back to Murali and the little magician takes a fine catch, falling to his right and snaffling the catch at the feet of non-striker Fulton.

23rd over: 111-3
Oram is the new batsman, and he usually takes a bit of time to get set. The Kiwis happy to milk Jayasuriya at the moment, five singles and a wide from his over.

"I sat next to Bill Oddie at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, where I had the immense pleasure of watching Alberto Juantorena open his legs and show his class..."
TrickieDickie, Hollywood, in the TMS inbox

22nd over: WICKET - Styris c Jayawardene b Dilshan 37, NZ 105-3
Dilshan into the attack...and he's made the breakthrough, Styris clipping him straight to Jayawardene at mid-wicket. Dilshan goes berserk, and why not? Great punt by the Sri Lanka skipper, Sri Lanka firm favourites again.

21st over: 103-2
Jayasuriya into the attack and his skipper will be hoping he can apply the brakes. Fulton uses his feet and flicks him through mid-wicket for one, and Styris gets one for a push into the covers.

20th over: 100-2
Sri Lanka are suddenly very scrappy and Murali sends down a leg-side wide. Fulton picks up one with a clip to mid-on before Styris plays an Andrex shot, skipping down the track and lofting Murali effortlessly over the long-on fence. This is a fine fightback from the Kiwis, we've got a game folks. Styris brings up the Black Caps 100 with a single.

19th over: 90-2
Malinga only back for one over, and Fernando is absolutely jamspangled over long-on by Styris, who's seeing the ball like Jupiter. Styris skews a shot to point, where Jayawardene can only parry the ball and the batsman takes one. Leg-side wide from Fernando and he's clearly rattled by his early admonishments. Elegant stroke from Fulton, a wristy drive into the covers, and that's the fifty partnership. Fulton then clatters Fernando over mid-wicket for a maximum - Fernando's going for 10 an over, I think he'll have a blow.

18th over: 70-2
It's Murali time and this could be the most crucial period of the match. He gets one to turn lavishly back into Styris and strangles an lbw appeal. Styris then picks up four with an outside edge, and a horse bolts and comes galloping across the pitch - Jayawardene puts himself in at slip. Styris picks up another with an unconvincing chip to leg before Fulton is bamboozled by a Muralia doosra.

17th over: 66-2
Jayawardene has obviously sensed the momentum swinging slightly away from Sri Lanka and Malinga is back into the attack. Sri Lanka then think they've got Styris, the big man chipping Malinga to mid-wicket where Murali takes a fine catch tumbling to his right - but no-one on the pitch seems to have spotted umpire Taufel's outstretched right arm, no-ball. I have never seen a smile wiped off someone's face so quickly, Murali looked like a toddler who'd just had his lollipop swiped. Three singles from the over.

16th over: 62-2
Scotty Styris is in some serious nick in this tournament - he's given Fernando the charge and flat-batted him, baseball style, straight over his head for six. Fulton shows a delicate touch, flipping Fernando to backward square-leg for one.

15th over: 52-2
Worrall-Thompson mows Vaas over mid-wicket for four. He didn't quite get it, but that'll do. Styris brings up the Kiwi fifty with a tickle down the leg-side before Fulton picks up one with an uppish push into the covers and Styris picks up a couple with an uppish skew through point. Drinks.

"Ben, I want to watch the cricket highlights later and your persistant updates are spoiling everything. It was supposed to be a surprise. Would you please talk about something else instead?"
Angry Bertie, near Oxford, in the TMS inbox

14th over: 43-2
I have just upset Furious of Montreal by mentioning the Man U score - apparently he was looking forward to watching a recording tonight. Sorry, Furious, I actually feel a bit bad about that. I won't mention it again...Fulton picks up a couple with a flick to leg off Fernando before bagging another single from the final ball.

13th over: 40-2
Fulton picks up a single off Vaas. Styris is keen to get on with things, but has a wild and windy woosh outside the off-peg and misses. Another tight over from Vaas, the Kiwis staring down the barrel at a pretty hefty defeat at this rate.

"Fernando's confidence is fragile at the best of times so this is a massive test. Brave captaincy from Jayawardene to keep him on."
Paresh Soni, BBC Sport in Jamaica

12th over: 39-2
Fernando is still on, despite two official warnings in the previous over, and Styris flips him away for four through deep backward-point.

"I played five-a-side footie at university with Gonch from Grange Hill."
Don, Weymouth, in the TMS inbox

11th over: WICKET - Taylor lbw b Vaas 9, NZ 32-2
Vaas has the Kiwis two down, Taylor trying to smear him over mid-wicket and the ball hitting his back leg. Hawkeye says it was missing off-stump, but umpire Taufel didn't take long to make a decision. Sarah, you are forgiven, just get me something from Zara. The prolific Styris is next up the ramp and, my God, the Kiwis need something monumental from him here. Vaas wraps him on his pads first up and has a very confident lbw appeal turned down by Taufel, but it pitched outside leg.

"Ben, have a confession to make. The guilt has become too much - fear I am an imposter myself, masquerading as knitting queen. It is with deep regret I admit my inability to produce either a spot or a stripe...can you forgive me and maintain aloft the branch of friendship?"
Sarah Ansell in the TMS inbox

10th over: 30-1
Bit of respite for Fulton and Taylor, Malinga is back in his magic box. Fernando is the new bowler and he's punched straight to the long-on boundary for four. Fernando beats him next up before umpire Koertzen gives him an official warning for running down the pitch. Don't really understand that, he's only bowled five balls. And another official warning from Koertzen...bit weird, only one more warning and he's off. Two no-balls from Fernando and he's clearly rattled.

"In response to Matt's comments (see below), I am a straight female and I don't know what she sees in Colly either! KP is by far the best looking England player, although Monty will always have a special place in my heart. As for what they have that you don't, obviously its their cricket skills that attracts us..."
Sarah C, Edinburgh, in the TMS inbox

9th over: 21-1
Taylor breaks the shackles with a crackerjack square-drive for four off Vaas and follows up with a single. Man Utd are losing 2-1, what a choker...

"You'll always find it's the Mickey Mouse players, the little bits and pieces players that give you the verbal nonsense..."
Sir Viv Richards on TMS

How to listen to TMS

8th over: 15-1
Normal service resumed in Malinga's over - a Taylor defensive prod is beaten before Malinga gets another past a rare attacking stroke outside off-stump. Taylor finally loses his rag, skipping down the track like Margot Fonteyn and missing with a very airy swish. Dilshan walks across from third slip and gives the hapless Taylor some stick before Taylor gets some big cheers from the crowd with a solid forward defensive. Taylor acknowledges the ironic applause - plenty of gallows humour out there.

"Yep, Ross Kemp (bobbing around in a very fetching baseball cap) embarrassed himself singing it for Fruit & Fibre in the 90s, but it was originally used in 1982 for Bran Flakes (see clip linked below)"
Rachael Taylor in the TMS inbox

7th over: 14-1
Fulton gets a shortish one from Vaas, but misses with an attempted pull outside off-stump. Two Metre does pick up one with a tuck to mid-wicket and Taylor grabs a single. Two from the over. "There are huge gasps in the crowd every time Malinga lets the ball go. They know a thing or two about fast bowlers at Sabina Park and are awe-struck by this man."
Paresh Soni, BBC Sport in Jamaica

6th over: 12-1
Taylor is beaten by Malinga...again, before he picks up one with a thick outside edge. Malinga gets one past the edge of Two Metre Peter's upright bat and this is like pulling teeth for the Black Caps. Fulton does get one with another thick outside edge before Taylor is done by Malinga for about the sixth time this innings.

"If Nick Heyward will be 50 during the next Cricket World Cup, can I safely assume that he will be in his mid-forties when it begins?"
Stuart Robertson, Kent, in the TMS inbox

5th over: 10-1
Vaas is getting a bit of shape back into the right-handed Fulton, just one from his over.

"Re - name-dropping, my old girl knows Ruth Madoc."
Cen in the TMS inbox

4th over: 9-1
This is the best spell of fast bowling I've seen at the World Cup. Malinga gets one to spit off a length, beat Fulton and Sangakkara behind the timbers and the ball runs away for four. Fulton is beaten again before Malinga locates the edge of his bat, but the ball falls just short of the man at first slip and the Kiwis pick up to precious runs. Sizzling stuff from the Slinga, he's got both both these Kiwi batsman scratching about like Mr Magoo. Fulton does get one with a clip off his pads.

3rd over: 3-1
A real buzz about the place now and there are storm clouds gathering to the west of Sabina Park. Fulton picks up a single. The World Cup trophy is sitting by the long-on boundary. I got into trouble for saying it looks a bit cheap earlier in the tournament. Fulton almost gets himself into trouble, running on an inside edge and Taylor sending him scrambling back. Bit of rain around Jamaica now, but thankfully not over Sabina Park...yet...

"Martin (below) - It's Kelloggs Bran Flakes, and they are very tasty, I could live off them. Can't see New Zealand beating Sri Lanka though."
Stephen Junor in the TMS inbox

"In response to Tracey's comment (see below), why Colly? I mean, I am a straight male and fail to understand the minds of females, but surely someone like KP would be more attractive? And besides, what do either of them have that I don't?"
Matt in the TMS inbox

2nd over: WICKET - Fleming lbw b Malinga NZ 2-1
I've stuffed - salmon fishcakes with rice and runner beans. The Savoy it wasn't. The Slinga makes the breakthrough, cleaning the Kiwi skipper up leg before. That's a big decision for umpire Koertzen to make, but it was probably clipping the top of off-stump. The pugnacious Taylor is next up and he gets a jaffer first-up, the ball pitching, seaming away and beating Taylor's tentative prod. Taylor is beaten again next ball...and again. I think the overcast conditions are having an effect here - wicket maiden from Malinga.

"In spots or stripes? (see below)"
Sarah Ansell in the TMS inbox

NEW ZEALAND INNINGS:1st over 2-0: Before I start my one over cameo whilst Ben devours something debatable from the canteen, I seem to recall the aforementioned ad was part of the Fruit & Fibre series and starred former Eastenders 'hardman' Ross Kemp. Luckily for New Zealand umpire Taufel spots an inside edge into the pad - unlike Koertzen earlier - but Vaas finds some early in-swing to two-metre Peter, whilst Fleming gets off the mark with a fortuitous edge past slip. That's me done.

SRI LANKA INNINGS

"Re 50th over - what a coincidence. Only today, discussing adjectives for food, one of my pupils suggested 'tasty' and from out of nowhere I started singing 'Tasty tasty, very very tasty...' but neither my Teaching Assistant nor myself could remember what advert it came from. After much thinking and discussion, we finally narrowed it down to Kellogs Crunchy Nut Cornflakes or Bran Flakes. So - which one was it?"
Martin Cluderay in the TMS inbox

"I would like to add that I am not remotely connected to anyone famous but I'm backing Colly for most perfect male of the century....err...I mean captain of the England one-day team. Us girls like to keep cricket girly and have someone to drool over!"
Tracey in the TMS inbox

"It's strange to think that Nick Heyward will be 50 come the next World Cup. For some reason, the thought makes me feel sad and scared."
Jeremy, Leeds, in the TMS Inbox

50th over: 289-5
Bond's mediocre days continues, dropping short and Jayawardene carving him away for four. Bondy follows up with a wide before serving up a juicy full-bunger which is swung over mid-wicket for six. Ragged from Bond, the Kiwis really wilting here at the death. Jayawardene chips Bond to long-off, where Taylor is unable to reach it. Arnold swings Bond round the corner for another four and the little left-hander picks up one with a clip to long-off. Jaywardene finishes with 115 - one of the digs of the World Cup in my book - and Arnold with 14. Someone's going to have to do something tasty, tasty, very, very tasty with the willow if the Kiwis are going to win this. Some of you have expressed concern that myself and Sarah (see below) have fallen out. You'll be pleased to know we have resolved our differences and she is knitting me a new tank-top as way of an apology.

"Before he became (one of) the World's Strongest, Geoff Capes was a beat copper in Spalding, Lincs, where my grandparents lived. Spalding's a fairly sleepy market town, so not much for Geoff to do but pull tractors and eat pies at my grandad's caf� in the livestock auction."
TrickieDickie, Hollywood, in the TMS inbox49th over: 272-5
Arnold picks up one with a drive to long-off before Jayawardene moves to 97 with a delicate sweep down to fine-leg for four. He picks up another couple with an uppish pull before bringing up his ton with a carve through backward-point for another boundary. Top innings that, his ninth one-day hundred. Started slowly, but really slid through gears as his innings wore on - his ton only took 104 deliveries.

48th over: 260-5
Bond hasn't really turned up at today's party, or he has, but with a four-pack of Hofmeister and some plain Pringles. Arnold tickles him round the corner for four. Arnold nicks the strike with a single. Jayawardene seven shy of his ton, just two overs to get it.

47th over: 253-5
Franklin is back on at the death and there are three singles and a wide from his first four balls. Jayawardene backs away and slices Franklin to the third-man fence for four. Franklin has got the raging hump with that. Jaya misses out on a full-bunger, but does pick up another boundary with a dab to deep backward-point. All of a sudden, my very early prediciton of 280 doesn't look so shoddy.

"I am curious to know from O Dirlandas (see miles below) if Mr Ant was spending cash, looking flash and grabbing his attention?"
Marco, Merrick and Terry Lee, Leicester, in the TMS inbox

"Why are there no people out there stopping people having fun in the George Headley stand?"
Brian Waddle on TMS

46th over: WICKET - Dilshan lbw b Oram 30, SL 233-5
Dilshan has gone - big wicket for the Kiwis. Dilshan was looking to sweep Oram down to fine-leg but misses and was given out by umpire Taufel. Some suggestion in the TMS inbox that that was another shocker of a decision. I think it was, but not for the reason they think - I don't think it hit Dilshan's bat, but it would have struggled to hit a second set of stumps. Jayawardene picks up four with a dreamy cover-drive before Oram sends down another precious no-ball. Seven from the over and a wicket.

45th over: 233-4
Marshall almost runs out Jayawardene - a direct hit and he was back in the dressing room. Full-bunger from Patel, Jayawardene latches onto it and Bond can only parries it onto the rope - six, and Bond is not having the best of days in the field. Dilshan moves to 29 with a lovely stroke, opening the face and gliding the ball down to third-man. Styris couldn't prevent the boundary, he looked like Geoff Capes dragging a DAF lorry.

44th over: 219-4
Dismissive, Sarah? (see below) I was hailing you for spotting Nick Hayward's little piece of cheekiness. Two singles apiece before Jaywardene hammers Oram straight over his head for a maximum. It's all going off at Sabina Park - not full by any means, but we have a party at least.

"Ooh Mr Dirs, I'm a UK reader who's not tailed away and yet feel have been treated as an irritating pedant pointing out the bleeding obvious. Is this how you treat you loyal 'fans'? I use the word advisedly. Messrs Fordyce and Mitchener are never as dismissive!"
Sarah in the TMS inbox

43rd over: 208-4
Jayawardene slams his front foot down the track and launches Patel over mid-wicket for four. Jaywardene slipping up the gears. Patel then has a vociferous lbw appeal turned down by umpire Koertzen - that was hitting every stump. Dilshan plays a dreamy cover-drive, but Oram on the extra-cover fence limits him to two. All a bit easy for Sri Lanka so far, 250 very much on.

42nd over: 199-4
McMillan has been off the field for most of this innings, with Marshall filling in. That means he will not be able to bat before five wickets have fallen. Hmmm, that could be costly. Nudge and nurdle from Sri Lanka, four singles from Bond's over. Bond looking pretty inoccuous so far to be honest, which means Sri Lanka will win...according to my pre-match prediction. McMillan has a stomach strain, apparently, which means he might not be able to bowl either.

41st over:
Bond mis-fields at fine-leg and that's a couple of cheap runs for Jayawardene. Jaywardene brings up his fifty with a pick-up over mid-wicket, Oram doing well to save the boundary. Jaya pats Patel back down the pitch for a single, seven from the over.

"To be fair to Nick Hayward (see below), he isn't necessarily an imposter. He merely said he was supporting Strauss, and may well have spelt his own name correctly. My name is Charles Dickins, but Charles Dickens is a dead author. For the record, Charles Dickins supports Collingwood."
Charles Dickins in the TMS inbox

"Jayawardene will be saying to Dilshan - 'you're my risk man, but I need to still be around in the last couple of overs'."
Ian Smith on TMS

40th over: 187-4
Jayawardene waits on a Bond slower ball and tickles him round the corner for one. Bond tests Dilshan out with a bumper and the right-handed batsman yanks him away for one. Bond drops short again and Jayawardene flogs him to wide long-leg for four. Looks in pretty handy nick the Sri Lanka skipper, and he's well capable of winning this for his side.

39th over: 180-4
Fairy Liquid hands from Dilshan, tucking Patel round the corner for four. One more single for Dilshan before Jayawardene grabs one with a nudge to long-on. Stand by for some long handle, the final push must be nigh.

38th over: 174-4
Vettori on for his last over and Jayawardene gets four for a tickle down to fine-leg. Cute from the Sri Lanka skipper. Our UK readers have tailed off as usual, so we need our North American friends to start emailing and give us our usual tea-time push. Two more for Jayawardene before he nicks the strike from the final ball of the over. Vettori finishes with 1-51 from his 10 overs.

37th over: 164-4
Shot of the day from Dilshan, skipping down the pitch to Patel and flashing him through the covers for four. Jayawardene has 31 from 61 balls and Dilshan has eight from seven.

36th over: 156-4
Yes, yes, yes Sarah Ansell for spotting that Nick Hayward (see below) is an imposter - the real Heyward is spelt thus. Jayawardene gets one for a flick into the wide open space at mid-wicket before Dilshan picks up one with a cut past point. Another decent over from Vettori, however, the Sri Lankans showing him respect.

35th over: WICKET - Silva lbw b Bond 21, SL 152-4
That's the dangerous-looking Silva gone, getting an absolutely shocking leg before decision against Bond. Umpire Koertzen raises the arm, however, and Silva has to walk, despite the fact he almost middled it. He will be spewing, as our Australian friends like to say. Dilshan is the new batter (I like writing 'batter' instead of 'batsman', it upsets people) and he's off the mark with a tuck to leg.

34th over: 152-3
Silva has absolutely marmalised that delivery from Vettori, slog-sweeping him over mid-wicket and onto the roof of the stand. Savage. Vettori drops short and is carved away for one.

33rd over: 142-3
Bond is back on for his second spell and Jayawardene squirts him to point for a single. Mis-field from Oram at point allows Silva one. Players will have a wet and a towel down.

32nd over: 139-3
Silva is beaten in the flight by Vettori and almost plops the ball into the hands of Marshall in the covers. One for the shot and Jayawardene collects a single for a push into the covers.

31st over: 137-3
Many of you have pointed out that Johan Cruyff will be 60 tomorrow and not 50. Thank you all. Styris is into the attack and he has a run-up like a man dragging a plough. He drops short (you can't do that at his pace) and is flogged away to the square-leg fence by Jayawardene. Jayawardene picks up another single before Styris gets one to get big on Silva - but the batsman gets one for a mis-timed pull.

30th over: 129-3
New Zealand's spin twins are really clattering through the overs at the moment. Vettori serves up a rare wide amd Silva collects one with a steer to point.

29th over: 127-3
Patel is really doing a manfull job here, Silva moves to eight and Jayawardene is only 17 from 45 balls.

28th over: 122-3
Five singles from the over, and no boundaries since Tharanga's six in the 22nd over. All nudge and nurdle at the moment and I am enduring my last dose of middle-over syndrome of the tournament.

27th over: 118-3
Silva gets one for a sweep to deep backward-square. One more single for Jaya and Patel is really squeezing Sri Lanka here.

26th over: WICKET - Tharanga b Vettori 73, SL 111-3
That's Tharanga on toast, bowled behind his legs by Vettori. The Kiwis on top here...or are they? So difficult to tell at the moment. Silva is the new batsman and he's off the mark with a glide to third-man. Silva has scored four fifties so far in this event, Sri Lanka may need something bigger from him today. Jayawardene picks up one with a flick down to fine-leg and there are two more singles from the over.

"In response to James, Newcastle (see below), I'm Nick Hayward and I back Strauss to be one-day captain..."
Nick Hayward in the TMS inbox

25th over: 111-3
Just the one single from Patel's over.

24th over: 110-2
Tharanga has an airy twirl and is beaten by Vettori outside off-stick. Vettori drops one in short and is feathered down to third-man for a couple. Delicate hands. If Vettori was a 80's pop group, I think he'd be Hue and Cry, or Aztec Camera. Bit of sloppy cricket that, Styris shieing at the stumps and giving up two overthrows. Vettori almost does himself a mischief with an lbw appeal, but umpire Taufel looks at him like he's just found him sniffing glue in his garage. Looked pretty plumb to me...

23rd over: 105-2
That's the Sri Lanka ton, Jayawardene bringing it up with a single and Tharanga gets a couple with a carve through extra-cover. Six from the over, but Patel is proving very difficult to get away in this World Cup.

22nd over: 99-2
Bit of confusion among the Sri Lanka ranks and if Taylor had collected that cleanly at mid0wicket Jayawardene could have been gone. Tharanga then goes macho, lathering Vettori over extra-cover for a maximum. Sweet as a nut. Two more for Tharanga with a carve down to third-man and he picks up another boundary with a feathered edge.

21st over:
That's Tharanga's fifty from a tuck to mid-wicket and Jayawardene picks up one with drag through square-leg for one. My cricket editor just told me Eric Bristow MBE is 50 tomorrow, along with big-serving, politically unsound tennis player Buster Mottram and Johan Cruyff.

20th over: 84-2
Fleming decides the Kiwis need a bit of spin and Vettori is into the attack. His first over is tidier than Hyacinth Bucket. One single from Tharanga, Vettori could be key for the Kiwis here.

19th over: 83-2
Jayawardene and Tharanga exchange singles before Jayawardene picks up a couple with a flick to square-leg.

"The PA announcer keeps warning spectators to keep hold of their tickets, saying 'there is a reserve day'. People have been talking about rain in the afternoon and it's getting me worried because I have a flight to Barbados tomorrow."
Paresh Soni, BBC Sport in Jamaica

18th over: 79-2
Jayawardene chops Franklin down to third-man for one. Franklin has the look of a school captain about him and I bet his girlfriend is an absolute sort.

"My mum played Eric Bristow MBE two years ago, and he showed no signs of his 'dartitis', crushing my old dear 3-0 and even finishing one leg with a blindfold on, just to rub salt in the wounds."
Luke, Nottingham, in the TMS inbox

17th over: 77-2
A couple of singles from Oram's over and this is very finely-poised. Sri Lanka on for 250 at the moment?

"In reply to Andy from Exeter: Overlong, over-complex, over soon."
Neville Mellors, Nottingham, in the TMS inbox

16th over: 75-2
Decent lbw appeal from Franklin, but umpire Taufel must have thought that hit him outside the line. Replays suggest it was pretty much plumb. Jayawardene is off the mark with a steer into the covers before Tharanga collects yet another sketchy four, carving Franklin to the third-man fence for four.

"In answer to Andy, Exeter (see below), the World Cup has been an overpriced, undersupported, lifeless spectacle that has done nothing for the profile of the beautiful game on a global basis."
Richard, Felixstowe, in the TMS inbox

15th over: 69-2
Another no-ball from the Kiwis, that's the eighth. Tharanga moves to 41 with a mis-timed cut. Off goes the cameraman for his first 'perv' of the day. To be fair though, those two are smashers. I always imagine he's making that Sid James 'phwoar' sound when he's doing it though. Two from the over.

"You are right, Eric Bristow MBE was indeed unable to release his darts - he also has six toes on his right foot, this is belived to have helped his balance at the oche..."
Chris, London, in the TMS Inbox

14th over: WICKET - Sangakkara b Franklin 18, SL 67-2
Sanga skips down the wicket and clips Franklin straight to Fleming at mid-on. That's the definition of giving your wicket away, and that's a plum wicket for the Black Caps. Sri Lanka skipper Jayawardene is next up the ramp and he blocks out the rest of the over.

"Dartitis is a very serious condition for a professional dart player. In the end, the only way that Eric found to beat it was to write 'DARTITIS' on a piece of paper, place the paper in a box before burying it deep in the ground, where it still remains..."
Nigel Myers in the TMS inbox

13th over: 66-2
Sangakkara picks up four for an inside edge and that's the fifty partnership.

12th over: 62-1
Left-armer Franklin gets one past a rather woolly Tharanga twirl, but Tharanga does pick up four with another outside edge. Franklin over-pitches and is punched through mid-on for a couple. Tharanga is living a bit of a charmed life here, an uppish cover-drive just clearing the man at mid-off and racing away for another boundary. Franklin spits a few barbs Tharanga's way, something along the lines of "you $* @ ing lucky @*$@@#$".

"I overheard Howard Jones telling the guys from A-Ha that he thought Monty had been 'seriously underused' during the World Cup, which was disappointing seing as he had taken the time and effort to borrow Nick Kershaw's Monty facemask for the South Africa game."
Gary, Glasgow, in the TMS inbox "Rumour has it that Limahl was a key factor in the swift appointment of Peter Moores as England's new head coach."
Andrew Hill in the TMS inbox

11th over:
Very evenly poised thus far and Fleming takes his first powerplay. Umpire Koertzen has a slightly camp powerplay signal, like someone performing the dance routine to Whigfield's Saturday Night. Four from the flashing blade of Tharanga, the ball screaming over the head of Patel at gully. Flemo's not happy about that, Patel was standing five or six yards too close in. Tharanga throws the kitchen sink, the bread maker and a cast iron egg stand at a delivery outside off-stump and misses.

10th over: 46-1
Franklin serves up a yorker and Sangakkara digs it out. Sangakkara picks up one with a tuck to mid-wicket.

"I've been travelling for the last couple of months and have therefore missed most of the World Cup. Was wondering whether anyone could sum it up for me in one, simple, short sentence."
Andy, Exeter, in the TMS inbox

"Is it just me, or does Kumar Sangakkara bear an uncanny resemblance to Mo, the bar owner from The Simpsons?"
Guy Bailey in the TMS inbox

9th over: 43-1
Nice timing from Tharanga, square-driving Bond for a few. A friend has just emailed me to say "what cricket match are you writing about - is it still the World Cup?" I think it's fair to say this tournament hasn't really fired the imagination of Joe Public. Sangakkara bags a four with a drive through the covers and another one with an inside edge down to third-man. Not a great opening spell from Bond, took a bit of tap there.

"To O Dirlandas (see below) - it's worth remembering that Adam Ant has recently also been waving guns around in pubs."
James McQuaid in the TMS inbox

8th over: 33-1
Bit tense this, Bond keeping things tight - maiden over. Rob (see below), I believe Bristow MBE was unable to release his darts. Tragic.

"I've always been fascinated by the idea of Eric Bristow's 'yips', but realise I know little about it. Did he just lose his rhythm, or did he actually fail to release the dart? The answer to this has become oddly important to me."
Rob, London, in the TMS inbox

7th over: 33-1
Oram is into the attack and there is just one single from his opening over. Talking of Nick Heyward, my brother used to get mistaken for him in his salad days. A 'casual', he once came home from the hairdressers with a thick, skunk-like blonde streak through his hair and tried to blame it on the spot cream he was using.

"Adam Ant thinks Colly should be one-day captain? Whatever next? Nick Heyward backing Strauss?"
James, Newcastle, in the TMS inbox

6th over: 32-1
A wild and windy woosh from Sangakkara and he's beaten by Bond outside the off-peg. Bit of width for Sanga and he squirts Bond down to third-man for a single and Tharanga picks up four with an outside edge. McMillan it was with the forlorn dive. McMillan should try skipping - skipping breakfast, skipping lunch, skipping dinner...

5th over: 26-1
Sangakkara picks up one with a clip to mid-wicket before Tharanga, who's due a decent dig, square-drives Franklin for four.

"It's a pretty disappointing crowd for a World Cup semi-final - I know they're not the most fashionable teams, but you'd expect it to be half-full."
Simon Mann on TMS

"Adam Ant (who I met over the weekend) said that Paul Collingwood should be the England captain for limited overs internationals and that Sri Lanka will win the World Cup."
O Dirlandas in the TMS inbox

4th over: 19-1
Bit of dog from Bond, getting one to spit off a length and hit the splice of Sangakkara's bat. Plenty of bounce at Sabina Park, and Sangakkara leans back and tugs Bond away for a couple. A bit of chin music for Tharanga and the batsman just manages to duck underneath it. Another leg-side wide from Bond, but Tharanga is unable to feather it away. Tharanga opens the face and glides Bond down to third-man for one. Better from Bond, good contest this.

3rd over: WICKET - Jayasuriya b Franklin 1, SL 13-1
There's one in the eye for Sri Lanka - the big man Jayasuriya is castled by Franklin. A hint of inswing from Franklin, but Jaya, looking to whip him to leg, played all around it. Sangakkara is the new batsman and he's off the mark with a clip to mid-wicket for a couple. One more single with an outside edge from Sanga, Franklin in the groove.

"Myself and my friend Michael Gale have been having our own World Cup. We have been seeing how many comments we can get up on the website. I am currently two behind so I would appreciate it if you didnt put anything Michael sends you, ta."
Ian Melding in the TMS Inbox

2nd over: 13-0
Bond to share the new pill with Franklin and, after the big build-up, his first ball is a leg-side wide. Not a clever first over so far from Bond, straying onto Tharanga's hip and the left-handed opener flipping him away for the first boundary of the day. Really struggling with his line, Bond, and he's tickled down to long-leg for another four by Tharanga. Is Bondy choking? This is a bit like watching Eric Bristow (MBE) succomb to 'dartitis' at the Stockholm Open in 1987. Better line with his last two balls.

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1st over: 4-0
Franklin's first delivery is on a length outside off-stump and Tharanga's watches it pass by. But he's off the mark next ball with a clip to leg for one. Tharanga fancies two, Jayasuriya doesn't fancy getting run out without facing. Jayasuriya is off the mark with back-foot push into the covers. A leg-side wide from Franklin before Tharanga slices a drive down to backward-point for one.

"Backing Sri Lanka all the way here. Bit fed up of antipodean cricket success so it would be great to see Sri Lanka go all the way."
Tim Cross in the TMS inbox

1529 BST:
Players are out and we're almost off. Plenty of empty seats in Sabina Park, but plenty of noise as well.

1524 BST: It's an absolute crackerjack of a day in Jamaica and the ground is slowly filling up - could be near to a full house.

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (capt), Peter Fulton, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum (wk), Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Shane Bond, Jeetan Patel

Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jaywardene (capt), Chamara Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando

1506 BST: Sri Lanka have won the toss and will bat first. Decent batting track according to Michael Holding - not much grass, a few cracks. Murali, however, reckons it's a "typical Sri Lankan pitch" - he's been walking around all morning with a maniacal grin on his face, apparently. Malinga and Fernando are back for Sri Lanka, with Maharoof and Kulasekera stepping down. Bond and Oram are back for the Kiwis, Gillespie and Mason have been dropped.