Otago demonstrated plenty of guts in its draw with Northern Districts at the Queenstown Events Centre last week, twice fighting back after making poor starts with the bat.
But its normally steady top order, which includes former test openers Craig Cumming and Aaron Redmond, faltered.
The Volts were four down for 38 but recovered to reach 301, and slumped to four for 33 in the second dig before eventually posting 438 for eight declared. Both were admirable recoveries but the poor starts cost Otago valuable momentum.
"We spent three days behind the game," Otago coach Mike Hesson agreed.
"Sides with less character would have folded and probably lost within two and a-half days. To get back showed character but you hope not to get into that position in the first place."
Derek de Boorder had a good match with knocks of 92 and 39. All-rounder Sam Wells scored an entertaining 70 and picked up a couple of wickets. And Neil Wagner bowled superbly, taking six for 55 in the first innings.
But it was the Broom brothers - Neil and Darren - who stole the limelight. The pair featured in a 252-run stand - an Otago fifth-wicket record partnership against Northern Districts.
Darren was undone on 112 but Neil went on to post his maiden double century.
The partnership thwarted probable defeat and helped the Volts get into a position to make a positive declaration and set up a run chase on the final day.
But Otago waited until Neil brought up the milestone before declaring and by then it was too late. The match fizzled out to a draw.
"You really needed 110 overs to bowl a side out on that surface," Hesson said.
"Unfortunately, with 110 overs to go we were only about 110 ahead. We didn't really have any option."
Otago has made just one change to its squad. Offspinner Mark Craig, who was included in the 12 as cover for Nathan McCullum, drops out. Ian Butler, who played on the opening day before being replaced in the playing XI by McCullum, has retained his place.
Experienced seamer Warren McSkimming was in action for Carisbrook-Dunedin in the senior one-day competition on Saturday but has missed selection.
He sustained a stomach injury in a warm-up match against Canterbury earlier this month and was still getting his workload up.
"He [McSkimming] was considered for this game and he is not injured. 0But he hasn't had the workload required," Hesson said.
Auckland has made one change to its squad, with former Otago right-armer Gareth Shaw replacing Craig Cachopa.
Shaw might be lucky to get a look in with the likes of Kyle Mills, Daryl Tuffey and Andre Adams in the line-up.
The bowling should not be an issue but the batting is another story. Like Otago, the Aces lost early wickets in their match with Canterbury.
However, the top five rebounded in the second innings and coach Paul Strang put the earlier collapse down to a blip.
"It was really just one hour that undid us in Christchurch," Strang said.
"Apart from that I was fairly happy with what we did and how we went about it. It's now just a case of cutting out the bad sessions."
OTAGO v AUCKLAND
- Starting in Auckland today
Otago: Craig Cumming (captain), Aaron Redmond, Shaun Haig, Neil Broom, Darren Broom, Nathan McCullum, Sam Wells, Derek de Boorder, Ian Butler, Neil Wagner, Nick Beard, James McMillan.
Auckland: Jeet Raval, Anaru Kitchen, Greg Todd, Andrew de Boorder, Colin de Grandhomme, Bradley Cachopa, Andre Adams, Daryl Tuffey, Kyle Mills (captain), Michael Bates, Bhupinder Singh, Colin Munro, Gareth Shaw.
HEAD TO HEAD
- Plunket Shield
• Otago Wins: 27
• Auckland Wins: 59
• Played : 118
• Draws: 32
• Highest total: 627 Auckland, Lincoln 2006-07
• Lowest total: 35 Otago, Christchurch, 1884-85
• Highest innings: 355 Bert Sutcliffe (Otago), Dunedin, 1949-50
• Best bowling (innings): 9-36 Albert Wensley (Auckland), Auckland, 1929-30
