End of the road for New Zealand?

New Zealand succeeded where England, West Indies, India and Pakistan all failed, in showing enough professionalism and consistency to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. But with an in-form Sri Lanka side to play on Tuesday, and having already lost to them in the Super Eights, this could be the end of the road for them.

There is no question that New Zealand are a decent side and with the likes of Shane Bond and Stephen Fleming and several players who can contribute with bat and ball, it is no surprise to see them in the last four.

However, unlike Australia, who have a host of match-winners they can call upon, I just think that the Black Caps are too reliant on their big players, which makes them vulnerable.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are in about as good form as they could be. Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas lead a formidable attack, while they have Sanath Jayasuriya, captain Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Chamara Silva all in good form.

Bet365 make Sri Lanka 4/6 (1.66) favourites to reach the final, while New Zealand are 6/5 (2.20).

Jayasuriya, who has bounced back to form at exactly the right time, is the 10/3 (4.33) favourite to be his side's top runscorer on Tuesday on a Sabina Park pitch that should suit him.

Jayawardene is next at 7/2, while Sangakkara is 4/1, Upul Tharanga 9/2 and Silva 5/1. Former captain Marvan Atapattu, on the fringes of the side, is still only 13/2, while Tillekeratne Dilshan is 9/1 and Russel Arnold 16/1.

For New Zealand, inevitably it is Fleming who heads the market, at 10/3, while Scott Styris, another who has had a good tournament, is 7/2.

Peter Fulton and Ross Taylor are both 4/1, while Hamish Marshall is 11/2, Craig McMillan 7/1 and Jacob Oram 8/1,

The tension of a World Cup semi-final brings out the best in some players and the worst in others, but I believe Sri Lanka, who won the competition of course in 1996, can come through to the final.

They should also be ahead of New Zealand after 10 overs, which is an 8/11 shot, thanks to their more aggressive batting at the top of the order.