Blaming Jesse Ryder for New Zealand's Twenty20 capitulation to South Africa in Auckland is unfair, teammate James Franklin says.
The Black Caps restricted South Africa to 165 for seven after winning the toss at Eden Park on Wednesday, but botched a run chase they looked to have well under control to lose by three runs.
Needing 17 runs from the last four overs, New Zealand had six wickets in hand and looked to be cruising.
But Ryder went nine balls without scoring, then fell for 52 on the last ball of the 19th over.
Needing just seven runs from the last over, the Black Caps could only manage four and South Africa took the win and the series 2-1.
Franklin, who took 27 balls for his unbeaten nine runs, says it's unfair to single out Ryder, who batted well in his first match for two months after injuring his calf in late December.
"He played brilliantly last night," Franklin said.
"It's very much a team game, and there were other guys that came in after that had the chance to win the game. None of us did that, so to pin it on any individual I thin is very much unfair."
Franklin said the team had spoken about the botched run chase, but it was important now to focus on the upcoming one-day series which begins in Wellington on Saturday.
He said there was no question about the Black Caps' ability to perform under pressure.
"I think we're fine. There was one instance last night, and I think we're all making a bit of a mountain out of molehill.
"It was disappointing to lose the game, but that's gone and we've got to worry about Saturday now."
NZN