White Ferns take out ODI series against Pakistan, but same glaring ...

ANALYSIS: Old problems continue to resurface for the inconsistent White Ferns as Pakistan served up a reality check.

New Zealand took out the ODI series 2-1, but it would have been a hollow feeling in the dressing room after Pakistan’s Super Over triumph in Monday’s final match in Christchurch.

More questions than answers linger for the side heading into their showpiece event of the summer against England.

The White Ferns players turn their attention to the T20 Super Smash, which started on Tuesday. Their home season concludes with five T20s against England, starting in Dunedin on March 19, followed by three ODIs, beginning in Wellington on April 1.

Sophie Devine’s side will need to lift their play with bat, ball, and in the field, if they are to compete with one of the benchmark teams in women’s cricket. Perform like they did against Pakistan and the White Ferns will be in for a long series against a quality English side.

Pakistan were vastly improved on this tour, but in home conditions, the White Ferns again disappointed. They suffered a surprise 2-1 T20 series loss and stuttered to a 2-1 ODI triumph – almost losing Friday’s second match at Hagley Oval.

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Sophie Devine is filthy at herself after getting out softly in Friday’s second ODI against Pakistan.

Devine did not mince her words in the post-match interview after game three, saying the White Ferns were still their own worst enemy.

“I think with the bat it’s building partnerships and being selfish with the bat. I think we’ve had batters who have got themselves to a really good position and then given their wicket away, which is disappointing because that’s our role as batters in the team.

“I think in the field we’re too timid, we’re too scared. We’re standing still and we’re letting the ball come to us and you can’t afford to do that in international cricket when teams are going to put pressure on you.”

In Friday’s second match, New Zealand appeared to be cruising to their target of 221 with Suzie Bates and Maddy Green set at the crease.

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Pakistan are jubilant after removing Sophie Devine in Friday's second ODI at Hagley Oval.

Once Bates departed for 74, the White Ferns imploded, losing seven wickets for 53 runs – several were soft dismissals.

Veteran Lea Tahuhu managed to save their blushes, hitting an unbeaten 21, to get them through to a one wicket win alongside No 11 Fran Jonas.

Bates or Green needed to bat through and finish the job, but they let themselves down, opening the door for Pakistan.

There was further frustration with the bat in game three with the White Ferns restricted to 251-8, batting first. A formidable score looked on with Melie Kerr and Green going well in the middle stages of the innings.

Some of the White Ferns’ wounds were self-inflicted. They would have felt sick, sending down 18 wides in the second ODI, seven of which came via Devine, almost proving costly. Eleven wides were conceded in the last ODI and 12 in the first.

“I think if we’re honest, we’re not consistent for long enough [with bat or ball] and you can’t do that against any international side,” Devine said.

Green’s batting was the biggest positive of the series.

The White Ferns have long been searching for someone other than Devine, Bates, or Kerr to stand up consistently with the bat.

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Maddy Green's impact with the bat was the biggest positive in the White Ferns’ ODI series win over Pakistan.

The Auckland Hearts captain was a standout performer, hitting 152 runs from three innings, only being dismissed once.

Green struck 83 in Friday’s second match, her second highest ODI score, and backed it up with an unbeaten 65 in the final outing.

Bates, Kerr and Devine all had their moments, but will need to convert starts into substantial scores against England.

Rising batting talent Georgia Plimmer still has some way to go internationally, contributing just 10 and five in her two appearances at the crease – taking her ODI average to 12 from 12 matches.

With the ball, left-arm spinner Jonas, aged just 19, and seamer Molly Penfold, 22, showed glimpses of their ability in the ODIs.

Frontline seamer Hannah Rowe wasn’t at her best, capturing three wickets from 25 overs at an average of 38.66. Jess Kerr also struggled with two wickets from 15 overs (two matches) at 37.50 and an economy of five.