Sri Lanka turned in a fine all-round performance to beat New Zealand by 81 runs and storm into the final of the World Cup on Tuesday.

Powered by a brilliant century from their captain Mahela Jayawardene in the first semi-final at Sabina Park, Jamaica, the 1996 champions posted 289 for 5 and then bowled out the Kiwis for 208 in the 42nd over to condemn them to their fifth World Cup semi-final defeat.

In Saturday’s final in Bridgetown, Barbados, Sri Lanka will face either Australia or South Africa, who meet in Wednesday’s second semi-final.

Muthiah Muralitharan was Sri Lanka’s wrecker-in-chief, claiming four wickets for 31 runs which broke the back of the New Zealand batting.