New Zealand's premature exit at the T20 World Cup has meant chances are running out for the Black Caps to break their World Cup hoodoo with the current playing group.
New Zealand are yet to win either an ODI or T20 World Cup despite now making it to the final four of a global white-ball tournament on twelve occasions.
Of the XI that New Zealand fielded in Wednesday's semi-final loss to Pakistan at the SCG, nine are older than 30, as are three of the four remaining World Cup squad members overlooked for selection.
Veteran Martin Guptill, 36, has already found his role with the side cut down and more changes of the guard are expected ahead of the T20 World Cup in 2024, if not before next year's ODI World Cup.
But captain Kane Williamson said the thought of players retiring without silverware was less difficult to swallow than the feeling that the Black Caps had not done themselves justice against Pakistan.
"Being in a leadership role in the team, you're always looking at the performance," he said.
"We've played in a number of different finals and put out really good performances, probably good enough to win and we've gotten beaten either by a side that's played a little bit better or a side that's played about equal.
"The frustrating part of this today is that we weren't quite on top of our game."
At 32, Williamson is one player who may consider downsizing his involvement in white-ball cricket to focus on Test responsibilities.
"I certainly love playing in all the formats (but) there's a lot of cricket so that needs to be managed a little bit," he said.
"After these sorts of events, you sit down and give yourself a chance to reflect and look at what's coming up."
Allrounder Daryl Mitchell said the Black Caps could be proud of their domination in the Super 12 stage and felt repeated exits in the knockout phase of tournaments would not haunt the side.
"We're obviously gutted to lose the semi-final of a World Cup," said Mitchell, who top-scored for New Zealand with an unbeaten 53 against Pakistan.
"As Kiwis, we're pretty good at sitting down and having a quiet beer together and reflecting on what has been a successful campaign in many ways.
"To be here at the back end of a World Cup is always special. We're just a little country, with five million people. We're just a bunch of Kiwis going out there and taking on the world."
