KEY POINTS:
Of all the excuses being trotted out after New Zealand's sudden-death loss to England on Tuesday night, the idea that Stephen Fleming should somehow carry the blame is by far the most perplexing.
Out of form for most of the summer after being inexplicably rested at the start of the Sri Lankan series, the skipper finally found some touch at the Gabba while scoring his seventh ODI century and batting through to the 47th over.
Sadly for his team, his 106 wasn't enough to stave off England's fine late rally and early elimination from a series that has captured the Kiwi imagination unseen since the days of the underarm and Lance Cairns' mighty hitting.
But to suggest Fleming's patient approach to the chase was the chief reason behind New Zealand's eventual 14-run loss - as many have during the post-game wash-up - is to stretch the bounds of credibility to breaking point.
Doubtless, if Fleming could have his time over again, he might do things differently, particularly the "yes, no, sorry" routine that led to the run out of Ross Taylor in the 35th over and what was, arguably, the turning point of the match.
Neither would have he enjoyed the tense moments earlier in his innings when he appeared to have been caught behind on 21 or when he was dropped by wicket-keeper Paul Nixon on 36. Chances that highlighted his struggles since being left on the sidelines earlier in the summer.
However, when a team is chasing 271 to win and only one batsman - Fleming - is able to post a meaningful score, it's a tough judge who would hold the same player liable for not bringing home the bacon.
All Fleming needed was some dedicated support, as Andrew Strauss provided for man-of-the-match Paul Collingwood during the Englishman's fine century in the first innings; the pair not only adding 103 for the fourth wicket, but also preserving resources for a final assault at the end of the innings.
With the exception of the unlucky Taylor, none of Fleming's partners were able to follow suit; the regular procession of wickets from the 35th over leaving the innings in a downward spiral and almost the entire responsibility on one man's shoulders.
It's true, Fleming couldn't pull it off on this occasion, but it's worth remembering that this was something of an exception, in that his previous six ODI hundreds had all been constructed during second innings' chases, and had all been match-winning efforts.
On Tuesday night, New Zealand - and Fleming - faltered in the face of a desperate England counter-attack, led by a brilliant late spell from Andrew Flintoff and some equally intelligent bowling from Collingwood and Monty Panesar.
For a long time on Tuesday night, Fleming would have known that all he needed to do was to anchor the innings, and wait for a partner to dig in for the long term and provide the support that would have won the match.
But neither could the blame be apportioned solely on New Zealand's batsmen, given the holes that have been appearing in the team's one-day game throughout the summer.
Against Sri Lanka, the main problem was getting runs on the board; in Australia the runs started coming but then the bowling fell apart and the catching became a national embarrassment.
Rewind to Tuesday evening: Daniel Vettori underperformed with the ball, James Franklin, Jacob Oram and Scott Stryris looked imminently hittable, and catches were grassed by Taylor, Oram and Peter Fulton.
Rather than slating Fleming for the failure to make the finals, New Zealand supporters should perhaps be examining the overall decline of their team this summer and the unsettling selection policies that have underpinned the reversal. One player is not responsible for that.
