Don’t blame Jesse, says Franklin

James Franklin insists the New Zealand team have ‘‘buried’’ their run-chase speed wobble in Auckland and takes umbrage at criticism of Jesse Ryder’s role in the defeat.

The Black Caps couldn’t depart Eden Park fast enough as they take to the Basin Reserve nets later today, having switched focus to the three-match ODI series against South Africa starting at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium tomorrow.

But while Franklin was moving on from the three run defeat in the Twenty20 series decider, the dreaded c-word – choke – was being thrown around, amid concerns the hosts would be mentally dented as they prepare to face reinforcements Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn and Graeme Smith.

‘‘It was one instance last night and we’re all making a bit of a mountain out of a molehill,’’ said Franklin of the pursuit of 166, as New Zealand fell short despite needing 16 runs off the final four overs with six wickets in hand.

While Franklin put his hand up for a couple of poor decisions in the tense final overs, he was having nothing of Ryder taking the fall.

In his first international since the test win over Australia in Hobart in December, Ryder blazed 52 off 42 balls but his struggle to bring up his half-century, and his dismissal to a paddle sweep with eight deliveries remaining and eight runs required, saw former international Craig Mcmillan point the finger Ryder’s way.

‘‘This defeat falls squarely on his [Ryder’s] shoulders and he has to wear it,’’ Mcmillan told Radio Sport.

Franklin responded: ‘‘ He played a hell of a great innings to get us to the point of winning and then the rest of us couldn’t really pick up the slack and get us across the line.

‘‘It’s really unfair that people are nailing him on it. There were a lot of us who also had the opportunity to get the team across the line and we didn’t.’’

Franklin said in hindsight he could have attempted a bye when Doug Bracewell received a bouncer in the final over, then off the final delivery, a no ball from Marchant de Lange, he could have retained the strike and left himself four to tie.

‘‘We didn’t deal with it at the time but I’m sure if we get the chance again then we’ll do it differently.’’

Franklin has a fair point that the volatile nature of T20 cricket shouldn’t lead to mass hysteria over the collapse.

South African run machine Jacques Kallis agreed the tourists wouldn’t get carried away.

‘‘The guys play so much cricket these days it’s pretty much get on with the job and today’s a new day and they’ll put it behind them. Maybe if it’s a tight game in the onedayers a few of our boys might remind them of what happened,’’ Kallis said.

The arrival of South Africa’s heavyweights ensures they will be dominant favourites for the three-match series. New Zealand, who won the previous ODI between the sides at the World Cup last March, have a largely unchanged squad, with legspinner Tarun Nethula and fast bowler Andy Mckay earning another crack.

New Zealand’s bowling at Eden Park will provide encouragement after excellent spells from Bracewell, Tim Southee and Rob Nicol slammed the brakes on.

But the batting remains a concern if key men Martin Guptill or Brendon Mccullum miss out at the top, with Ross Taylor ruled out until next month’s first test.