Jayasuriya - vast experience (Getty Images).

By Myles Hodgson, PA Sport Cricket Correspondent, Port Elizabeth

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Sri Lanka are banking on their experienced players to provide the inspiration for a World Cup semi-final upset as they attempt to finish their illustrious careers with a notable triumph over Australia.

Having sneaked into the last four at the expense of New Zealand - exceeding expectations back home - Sri Lanka are expected to be brushed aside by the world champions en route to their third successive final.

But coach Dav Whatmore, who masterminded their surprise 1996 World Cup triumph, believes those players in his squad who are in their last major tournament could prove the key to a shock victory at St George's Park on Tuesday.

Captain Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva, Hashan Tillekeratne and Russel Arnold are all likely to be playing in their final World Cup - and Whatmore is hoping they can go out on a high.

"We're now at the business end of the tournament, and our opponents are playing some breathtaking cricket," said the Sri Lanka coach, who was 49 yesterday.

"They are clearly the in-form side of the competition.

"But there aren't that many boys in our group who will play another semi-final in their careers, so I hope they will make the most of that.

"Sri Lanka are not regarded as a power around the world, so it was very important for them to do that. Now that we're here, there's every chance we might progress."

At least Sri Lanka have some sort of form against Australia, being the last side to beat them in a one-day international at Sydney in January and having also triumphed over them in the semi-finals of the ICC tournament last October.

More recently, however, they have also suffered a comprehensive 96-run defeat against them at Centurion during the Super Six stage of the World Cup when Brett Lee's pace shook them up and left captain Jayasuriya with arm and thumb injuries.

Still, the slow and low St George's pitch - on which Australia struggled against England and New Zealand earlier in the tournament - will be to the liking of Sri Lanka's spinners.

"We've played them at Centurion and got an object lesson in one-day cricket from them - but this wicket may be different, so we will see what happens," added Whatmore.

"I would have thought the pitch here would be more suitable for Sri Lankans than the one at Centurion."

Senior batsman Marvan Atapattu, who scored a century during that last victory over Australia in Sydney, also believes that VB Series performance should give his team confidence.

"It's a hell of an achievement to reach the semi-finals for a side that was all out for a low total against Australia A - and to come back from that is superb," he said.

"Every cricketer would love to be in our position, playing in a World Cup semi-final.

"We've played Australia a lot over the last two or three months and we've not fared too well.

"But we beat them in Sydney, and I don't see why we can't do it again."