Atapattu - star for Sri Lanka. (Getty Images)

Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya publicly thanked his fellow opener Marvan Atapattu for the hard-working hundred which on Saturday hauled his country into the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Atapattu carried his bat for his 10th one-day international century to help Sri Lanka reach 256 for five, which proved 74 runs too good for Zimbabwe on a slow East London pitch.

"It was not easy to bat on early on, but Marvan was the key," the grateful Sri Lanka captain told Sky Sports after his team's last Super Sixes match.

"That is why we got 256 and that is why we won."

Atapattu admitted he found it tough going at times on a surface which rewarded his graft and precluded any other batsman from reaching a half-century.

He said: "In the early stages it was not an easy wicket. It was not coming on as much as it did in the second innings, but I fought very hard to get those runs."

Atapattu is in a rich vein of form and, looking forward to Sri Lanka's semi-final tie against World Cup holders Australia, he said: "I am hitting the ball well and I am really confident."

Zimbabwe appeared on course to make a game of it as long as Andy Flower remained at the crease in his farewell international match.

But he fell to lbw to Aravinda de Silva for 38 even though he appeared to get bat on ball, and his captain Heath Streak said: "It was an unfortunate decision - and in the context of the game it was a big wicket for Sri Lanka.

"Andy was playing well, and we knew we needed wickets in hand for the end. Unfortunately no-one could come in and continue that on what was a difficult wicket.

"It was not an ideal wicket, but you have to contend with these sort of conditions.

"Batting first was an advantage as well - but that is the way things go."

Flower may have been prevented from finishing his country's campaign and his own career on a high.

But that will not diminish the respect he has earned in the world game, and Streak said: "I would like to thank Andy for the great time he has given Zimbabwe cricket. He has really put Zimbabwe cricket on the map.

"His record speaks for itself. He will be in the record books for a long time and in the Zimbabwe memory for a long time too."

Flower himself has mixed feelings about leaving the international stage at the age of 34.

"It is a very sad day. I have played against some good sides and good people - and I will be leaving some good mates behind as well," he said.

"Our Test match wins will always be special to me. We have not had many, but they meant a lot to us.

"Taking Zimbabwe cricket from a very small organisation to a much better one has been great."