The Black Caps' three-run loss to South Africa Wednesday night in Auckland not only cost them the series but has also dropped them down cricket's world Twenty20 rankings.
Chasing a modest 166 to win the Black Caps were seemingly on course for victory heading into the final two overs needing just eight runs with five wickets in hand only to come up short, handing South Africa the series 2-1.
The Black Caps slip from second to fourth on the world rankings with South Africa moving up to second spot.
Jesse Ryder's nine-ball struggle to move from 49 to 50 late in the game has drawn criticism but his Wellington teamate James Franklin, who was batting with him at the time, says that's unfair.
He says it's a team game and they all need to take responsibility for the result.
The two sides now play a three-match one day series, the first of which is in Wellington on Saturday.
