By Ross Karl
By their own admission, the BlackCaps have blown the Twenty20 series against South Africa and handed the Proteas their number two ranking.
Needing just 25 runs, off the last 5 overs to win at Eden Park, the BlackCaps somehow lost by three runs, and in doing so have dropped to fourth in the world.
They arrived in Wellington today knowing they’d cracked under pressure.
“It was one instance last night and we're all making a mountain out of a molehill,” James Franklin said.
Many on talkback and social media are directing the blame at Jesse Ryder, saying he batted for himself rather than the team.
While New Zealand Cricket didn't make Ryder available to talk to the media, Franklin – who was left stranded on nine off eight balls at the end – defended his Wellington teammate, saying he couldn't solely be blamed for the loss.
“[Ryder] did brilliantly last night,” he said.
“To pin it on any one individual I think is very unfair – it’s very much a team game and there were other guys who came in afterwards and had the chance to win the game, but none of us did that.”
In his return match, batting at number three, Ryder was seemingly helping the BlackCaps cruise to the 166 needed.
However, he stalled on 49 off 30 balls, and it took him seven more deliveries to get the single he needed for his half century.
The BlackCaps still only needed 12 off 14 balls, and South Africa was blowing important chances, but Johan Botha kept Ryder shackled and eventually removed him for 52 off 42 balls.
That loss of momentum left seven required from the last over. A no ball meant Tim Southee could still sneak a win with a four off the last delivery, but it didn’t happen.
Brendon McCullum was disappointed with his team’s performance, saying the game was “well in our hands, but when the pressure came on we were found wanting”.
3 News