Comment: Mahela, Murali and Malinga too good for faltering Kiwis

Hail Mahela. Sri Lanka stormed into the 2007 World Cup final with a stunning innings from their captain Mahela Jayawardene, ably supported by a classic piece of magic from Muttiah Muralitharan. On this performance, Sri Lanka will be undaunted by the prospect of defeating even Australia to win their second world title.

At 152 for 4 in the 35th over, New Zealand fancied their chances of restricting Sri Lanka to a manageable total but that's when Jayawardene accelerated away from his opponents.

It was a masterful performance from Sri Lanka's captain, who is a silky smooth batsman, a joy to watch. Despite failures from his senior colleagues, Jayawardene took the responsibility to steer his team to a match-winning total as the unsung heroes of Sri Lankan cricket played around him.

First Upul Tharanga kept the run rate healthy as his captain laid the foundations for what transpired to be one of the most memorable innings in World Cup history. Later, Tillikaratne Dilshan and Russel Arnold thrashed New Zealand's flagging bowlers to finish with a joyous flourish.

But it was Jayawardene's innings that took the breath away. As much as anything it was notable for the intelligence of his approach. Indeed, Sri Lanka's players may not have degrees from Harvard University but they are all smart, thinking cricketers, and Jayawardene leads them cleverly.

When stability was required Jayawardene stayed calm. When the time to attack arrived Sri Lanka's captain was not short of ambition, determined to propel his team to a commanding total. Over a hundred runs came off the last ten overs as the limitations of New Zealand's bowlers were exposed.

The contrast between the bowling attacks turned out to be a sharp one. New Zealand had the right ingredients in Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori but didn't have the cutting edge. Sri Lanka had the right ingredients and more - the combination of Murali, Chaminda Vaas and Lasitha Malinga is a uniquely penetrative and varied one. Jayawardene manages to juggle his bowlers so expertly that wicket taking is always a possibility.

The jewel of the bowlers, however, was clearly Murali, whose genius deserves to be crowned in Sunday's final. Murali's mixture of doosras and fizzing off-spinners was a glorious demonstration of the mysteries of wrist spin. New Zealand's batsmen had no answer. Murali reigned supreme.

New Zealand have been a steady, well organised side in this tournament. They too have been lead by an astute captain in Stephen Fleming, who added his name to the list of retiring captains and coaches. But they confirmed suspicions that their bowling might lack sufficient variety to win the trophy. Although their batsmen have pulled off some remarkable one-day coups in recent months, the loss of Lou Vincent and Jacob Oram's failure to make a real mark has hurt them.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have been a joy. Even their defeat to South Africa was a moral victory as Malinga pole-axed South Africa's late order. Although they attracted much criticism for resting Murali and Malinga against Australia, that decision might now be about to pay off. If Australia are to be toppled in the final, these are the men, these strike bowlers, most likely to do it.

The Caribbean wickets have helped Sri Lanka but they have been a united outfit, full of energy and commitment. On top of that, they have magical cricketers in Murali and Sanath Jayasuria backed up by an assortment of match-winners and reliable professionals. Jayawardene's youthful leadership has been outstanding but he has created a culture of inclusiveness whereby more senior players are energetic participants in his mission.

But the upturn in Sri Lanka's cricket has been catalysed by the appointment of coach Tom Moody, a smart all-round cricketer. He has won two World Cups in decades apart already. A third with Sri Lanka would be the most remarkable and, for anybody who isn't Australian, probably the most enjoyable.