Maharoof vows to give 200%

Farveez Maharoof, the Sri Lankan allrounder, has made a strong case for selection ahead of Dilhara Fernando for Tuesday's semi-final against New Zealand in Jamaica.

Fernando secured his spot in the XI with impressive performances against India and England but suffered an ankle injury against Australia. Maharoof, who replaced him against Ireland, was adjudged Man of the Match for his haul of 4 for 25.

"I will give 200 percent in the match and I would back myself to perform," Maharoof told AFP. "We have played really well so far. It will be a case of continuing to give it our best.

"I got injured earlier in the tournament against Bangladesh but I just kept working hard in the nets. This is my first World Cup and it is something I have been looking forward to ever since I became professional three years ago.

"All the bowlers have proved their class at the World Cup. We have been talking about getting the basics right and putting the ball in the right areas. We are very happy with the way things are going and we are looking forward to the semi-finals."

Upul Tharanga, the out-of-form opener, looks all set to retain his place in the semi-final line-up amid reports that former captain Marvan Atapattu could replace him. Tharanga has managed only 17 runs in the last three innings but has been assured of his place by Asantha de Mel, the chairman of Sri Lankan selectors.

"We must not forget that Tharanga scored two centuries against England last year and also scored two centuries in the Champions Trophy," de Mel said. "In this World Cup also he was the highest scorer with 65 against India."

Jeetan Patel, the New Zealand offspinner, was not so optimistic about gaining a spot in the semi-final line-up in spite of taking 2 for 48 against Australia. "I've heard Jamaica is a dirty, green seamer and Barbados is hard and bouncy, so I'm not sure how much more action I'm going to see," Patel told the Dominion Post, a New Zealand newspaper. "I wasn't sure of my place in the squad because I wasn't sure how the wickets here would play. But so far it has been very good."

Jacob Oram has said New Zealand would use the extra bounce at Sabina Park to target Sri Lanka's top order but Mahela Jayawardene was unconcerned. "Like any other cricketers in the world, our batsmen love to play on bouncy tracks when the ball is coming on," Jayawardene said. "And we've got a very decent bowling attack to complement those conditions."