Parking these weighty debates to one side, New Zealand appears to have a post-World Cup middle to lower order batting problem in limited overs matches across the series in England, Zimbabwe and now South Africa.
Ironically that may have emerged because of arguably the finest long-standing top order partnership in the country's history. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor average 60.91 batting 38 times together in ODIs, including 10 century stands; in T20Is this drops to 28.66 batting together six times.
With Taylor and also Corey Anderson absent through injury, this morning's innings platform was dismantled by the South African bowlers in the final 7.4 overs when New Zealand slumped from 102 for one to 151 for eight - a loss of seven wickets for 49 runs at a run rate of 6.4.
Colin Munro (a first-ball duck) and Luke Ronchi (five off nine balls) both face scrutiny but, as has often worked in the Mike Hesson coaching era, they are also worthy of perseverance.
This tour gives Munro a prime chance to amplify his domestic form onto the international stage. He has yet to take that opportunity after replacing Taylor in the starting XI.
Munro's 23 sixes in his 281 from 167 balls for Auckland against Central Districts at Napier in March during the Plunket Shield, hint at his capability.
Yet his struggle to embed himself into the New Zealand order continues. A 23 not out off 11 balls helped establish a winning T20I total against Zimbabwe, but in three other international appearances - T20Is against England and South Africa and an ODI against Zimbabwe - he has not reached double figures.
Ronchi's also struggled. Since the start of the World Cup he has passed 13 twice in 13 ODI innings and passed five once in three T20I innings with 29 off 19 balls contributing to the team's 198 against Zimbabwe.
His role is less based on runs scored than strike rate sustained, but the latter has also dropped during that period from 123 to 115 (in ODIs) and 147 to 121 (in T20Is).
Few who saw his 170 off 99 balls in the world record sixth-wicket partnership with Grant Elliott in January will be prepared to write him off, but the clock is ticking for a resurgence.
Williamson (42 from 21 balls) was equal top scorer with Martin Guptill. While not pointing the finger at individuals, the captain identified batting in the latter overs as the key issue to improve.
"Credit has to go to the way South Africa bowled. We weren't at our best in the last 10 overs which should have seen us get a more competitive total on a good batting surface.
"The ball came on and there wasn't a huge amount of movement other than with the new ball. Scoring 150 was not enough; it was a 180-run wicket.
"We know we have the firepower in the middle and lower order to cash in and we need to get on top of it. We lost two wickets in a row a couple of times which put the brakes on."
Williamson paid tribute to the guile of Aaron Phangiso, who took two for 29. The South African left-arm orthodox spinner had Williamson stumped to break the opening stand of 68 and dismissed No.3 George Worker for 28.
"The wicket took a bit of turn [which surprised because] there was a lot of grass on the surface, suggesting it might skid on. With the short boundaries you think you can go after the spin sometimes, but he bowled nice changes of pace and controlled his lengths."
Hopefully by the start of the opening ODI on Wednesday, local New Zealand fans can tune in to make their own judgement.
