Struggling pace bowler Dilhara Fernando is likely to be axed from Sri Lanka's team for Saturday's World Cup final after his disastrous performance in the semi-final win over New Zealand.

Fernando was warned twice for running on the pitch during the 81-run win over the Black Caps at Sabina Park on Tuesday while his five overs cost 45 runs.

Sri Lanka's chief selector Asantha de Mel told the BBC they were not happy with Fernando's form and that fellow seamer Farveez Maharoof is likely to get the nod.

"Most probably it will be Maharoof," said De Mel from the Caribbean. "We were not satisfied with Dilhara's performance."

Maharoof was considered unlucky not to make the semi-final after he had taken 4-25 in Sri Lanka's last Super Eights game against Ireland.

De Mel also confirmed that Upul Tharanga would continue to open ahead of former skipper Marvan Atapattu.

If Atapattu doesn't play it will be the second time he has sat out an entire World Cup tournament.

The same fate befell him when Sri Lanka won the title in 1996.

Maharoof was named man-of-the-match against Ireland last week where he took four wickets, including three in an over, as well as pulling off a stunning run-out.

Ironically, Maharoof, a former captain of his country's Under-19 side, was only playing in that match in Grenada because Fernando had an ankle injury.

"I got injured earlier in the tournament against Bangladesh but I just kept working hard in the nets," said Maharoof.

"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," added Maharoof who has shown himself to be a man for the big occasion in the past - at the 2006 Champions Trophy in India he took 6-14 to help bowl out the West Indies for 80.

"We have been talking about getting the basics right and putting the ball in the right areas."

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)