Sri Lanka [ Images ] spinner Muttiah Muralitharan [ Images ] took a wicket with his final ball on home soil on Tuesday as his team took control of the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand [ Images ].
New Zealand managed only 217 from 48.5 overs after Muralitharan dismissed New Zealand's top scorer Scott Styris [ Images ] (57) with the last ball of his 10th over.
The 38-year-old world record holder for Test and one-day wickets will retire from international cricket after the tournament.
"This was my last game at home and I got my last wicket with my last ball," he said. "The same thing happened to me in Test cricket as well. Hopefully, our boys will give me a good send-off."
Lasith Malinga [ Images ] took wickets at key stages, yorking opener Martin Guptill [ Images ] (39) and Kane Williamson [ Images ] (22) and deceiving Nathan McCullum (9) with a slower delivery which the batsman edged to Kumar Sangakkara [ Images ] behind the stumps.
Asantha Mendis also took three wickets, dismissing New Zealand's last two batsmen Tim Southee [ Images ] and Andy McKay for ducks.
Styris added 77 from 106 balls with Ross Taylor [ Images ] (36) to take New Zealand to 161 for four from 39.1 overs.
The pair found run-scoring difficult against the variety and accuracy of the Sri Lankan attack, with Styris getting some relief with a hook and drive for four off a Malinga over.
The stage was set for a New Zealand run charge but Taylor hit Mendis straight to Upul Tharanga on the leg-side boundary and the New Zealanders never recovered.
Photograph: Getty Images
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