She would have much rather have got the win but Suzie Bates did her best in her 100th one-day international for the White Ferns.
The White Ferns and Otago Sparks skipper compiled 51 with the bat and then bowled four overs against Australia at the Women's World Cup at the County Ground in Bristol yesterday but it was not enough to stop the Australians winning by five wickets with eight balls to spare.
The loss has left the White Ferns with one win, one loss and a rained-out game in the tournament so far.
Bates became the eighth woman to play 100 one-day internationals for the New Zealand side.
Before the match she told English media she did not want to make too much of the occasion.
``You do not play for this personal recognition necessarily. I suppose it makes you reflect a little bit on the game,'' she said.
``As an 18-year-old I never would have thought about playing 100 games. I'm still really loving it, still really enjoying it. Any World Cup game is special but for it to be my 100th game makes it special.''
Bates won the toss and decided to bat but the New Zealand side lost wickets at just the wrong time. The run rate was never high and though Katie Perkins hit a half-century in the middle order, it was not enough to set a competitive total, ending up on 219 for nine wickets at the end of 50 overs.
Bates admitted the side had not scored enough.
``We needed 250 on a wicket like that out there. Scoring 220 against a quality Australian side was not quite good enough.
``[I'm] kicking myself a little bit for the way I got out . . . we have talked through the tournament if we want to go far, someone in the top five has to get a big score.''
In reply, the Australians were always well placed and helped by 71 from Elysse Perry and 48 from skipper Meg Lanning, the side made it home.
Bates said her side bowled well in the first 10 overs and put on pressure with some dot balls. But some bowlers did not bowl the right length and that hurt the side.
Youngster Amelia Kerr picked up two wickets in two balls with her legspinners.
Bates said after the game the side needed to look at all facets of its game.
``We need to work on our fielding . . . someone needs to keep going. In bowling we need to look at our options - need the balance right and clear in our plans and what is going on.''
The White Ferns next game is against the West Indies in Taunton on Thursday night NZ time.
The format is a simple one with all eight teams playing each other, and the top four going through to semifinals.
