No one is saying it but there's the risk of a perfect storm brewing for New Zealand.
South Africa produced a second comprehensive defeat in as many ODIs at Bay Oval yesterday, this time by 72 runs.
And again, while the bowling had rough patches, the batting once more was exposed, the game over by the 35th over.
At the same time, like some wandering troubadour playing his own tune, there's Jesse Ryder cheerfully clouting the ball to all parts of the land.
It's the scenario New Zealand selectors will want to avoid; the public clamour demanding Ryder be given a chance.
There's a whole pile of non-cricketing elements involved and no one disputes that if the gifted lefthander had a different personality the whole debate rattling around the national side wouldn't be even a breakfast conversation.
And if New Zealand's top six batting was looking good and proving itself against a tough South African outfit, again, no issue.
Certainly New Zealand can be cut some slack on a couple of fronts.
Any side missing their two best batsmen - and, importantly, who fill consecutive spots in the order - would be hurting.
Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor have been missed; and it's uncommonly early-season for a team without any match play in months.
Captain Brendon McCullum said that was no excuse, and certainly much better than 104 for eight was expected after getting a good sighter last Tuesday.
"We were clearly the second best team out there again and credit to South Africa for the way they exposed some frailties in our early-season form," McCullum said.
"Match hardness is what we require. South Africa don't allow you to ease your way into batting innings.
"We have to keep working hard, show improvements and try to stick to the game plan we know works for us."
Luke Ronchi top-scored for the second straight game, with 79 - breaking the 10th wicket record he set on Tuesday with Trent Boult, this time having Mitchell McClenaghan for company in a 76-run stand.
Hashim Amla's first ODI hundred against New Zealand, and 16th overall, anchored South Africa's innings of 282 for nine, having been sent in.
Another lesson here: New Zealand gave him two lives at seven and 12. Amla showed the folly of that.
South Africa's bowling was assertive from the start and the game was up early in the chase.
Captain AB de Villiers, who also took his first two ODI wickets in his 170th match yesterday, was "very satisfied, very proud" of what he called a close to the perfect performance.
He was unworried about not closing the match out, pointing to bowlers stiffening up in the chilly wind late on and the foot mentally coming off the pedal.
And de Villiers preferred to praise his bowlers rather than stick the boot into another unsatisfactory New Zealand batting display.
He admitted "in a way" he expected more from New Zealand's batsmen, "but there was some good bowling out there.
"I think they tried. We know they're world-class players. It just didn't happen for them in the last two games."
New Zealand get a final chance in the final of the three ODIs, at Hamilton on Monday.
- By David Leggat of the NZ Herald
