The White Ferns were left to bemoan their inability to beat top sides at the T20 World Cup in the West Indies after finishing the tournament with an easy eight wicket win over Ireland this morning.
Sophie Devine is one of New Zealand players in the WBBL. Photo: Photosport
The match was a dead rubber with New Zealand's earlier loses to Australia and India, effectively ending their campaign halfway through group play.
Batting first Ireland made 79-9 with the White Ferns knocking off their target with 12 overs to spare and eight wickets in hand.
Off spinner Leigh Kasperek was the most successful of the New Zealand bowlers with three wickets while Sophie Devine, who was named player of the match, top scored with 51.
It was the equal second fastest T20 half century, with Devine reaching the mark in only 21 balls. That matched Australian Alyssa Healy, also against the Irish earlier in the tournament.
Devine holds the outright record, for her 18-ball effort against India in Bangalore in 2005.
Vice captain Maddy Green said it was disappointing missing out on the semi-finals knowing they were a much better side than that.
"For us it's about it's just about winning critical moments in each game and I think both against India and Austraila we got ourselves in positions to actually win the game it's just then winning those critical moments.
"Going back to our domestic cricket, we'll have a review after this tour I'm sure and assess what we need to do to be more competitive in those key moments in each game."
She said they have some genuine match-winners who needed more support.
"We've got some very very talented cricketers in our side and I think Sophie [Devine] showed that tonight and Suzie [Bates] has shown that throughout the whole tournament. So for us it's how do we put it all together ...we know we've got absolute match winners on our side and the rest of the team need to get right in behind those key players and support them and that will help us win."
Suzie Bates produced a milestone of her own in the match when she became the first woman to pass 3000 T20 international runs.
The side now heads home with their next assignment a three match one day series against India in January followed by a three match T20 series against the same side with the White Ferns then heading to Australia in February.
Look back over the match here:
