Maharoof gives Sri Lanka selection headache

Seamer Farveez Maharoof gave Sri Lanka a World Cup semi-final selection headache after he claimed four victims in his team's Super Eights eight-wicket win over Ireland this morning.

Maharoof, playing in the side because of an injury to Lasith Malinga while Dilhara Fernando was rested, made a strong case to retain his place for next Tuesday's semi-final in Jamaica with a blistering performance with the ball.

He also ran out Ireland skipper Trent Johnston as Sri Lanka bowled out their opponents for just 77 before wrapping up victory comfortabaly before the lunch break at the Grenada National Stadium.

"It's a good headache to have," Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said when quizzed if the 22-year-old Maharoof would start in the semi-final, which is likely to be against New Zealand.

"Everyone in this squad has put their hands up when it comes to performing. It would be a worse headache if we were not performing.

"We have acheived our goal of making the semi-finals. When we left Sri Lanka we knew we had to concentrate hard, we knew we had the talent to make the last four but we just had to execute our plans. That was the hardest thing."

Maharoof finished with 4 for 25 in 10 overs, a spell that saw the pace bowler take three wickets in four balls in his first over.

Muttiah Muralitharan also took four wickets as Ireland were dismissed for the sixth lowest total in the competition's history.

Malinga is expected to be fit for next Tuesday's World Cup semi-final after missing three games because of an ankle injury.

"He's probably 90 per cent okay, we probably should have played him today but we didn't want to take the risk," Jayawardene said.

He said Malinga had bowled 10 overs in the nets on Wednesday morning.

"We don't want to take too many risks. He should be ready to go in the semi-finals, definitely," he said.

Malinga, who took an unprecedented four wickets in four balls in the Super Eights match against South Africa, injured a ligament in his left ankle during training.

Disappointing end for Ireland

The result was a disappointing end for Ireland's debut World Cup campaign which had peaked with famous wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh, but had also seen a nine-wicket defeat to champions Australia.

But they at least had the comfort of knowing that their performances had put them into 12th place in the international one-day rankings.

"It was another tough game," Ireland captain Trent Johnston said.

"But Sri Lanka showed why they are one of the tournament favourites."

The captain now wants to see Ireland build on their achievements.

"The goal when we came here was to show to people that we can play cricket away from our own backyard. I hope people won't judge us on our performances against Australia and Sri Lanka."