The defending champions have yet to register a point through four rounds and they were far from convincing in the early stages of their fifth round match against Otago in Auckland.
Auckland were a sickly 17 for four and later 67 for six then 136 for nine before a last wicket stand of 93 runs between Andrew de Booker and Pieter Erasmus lifted them to a respectable 229 in their first innings in the four-day match at Colin Maiden Park.
They maintained the momentum shift in the field, too, reducing the visitors to 100 for six by the close to more than make up for the early batting deficiencies.
After winning the toss Otago had little hesitation before inserting the home side, giving experienced seamer Warren McSkimming first use of a helpful surface on which to wreak havoc.
That he did as Auckland stumbled in a big way before McSkimming ended with five for 17 off 11 overs, his ninth five-wicket bag at first-class level, after cutting a swathe through the top order as Jeet Raval, Richard Jones, Ravi Bopara and Anaru Kitchen mustered just 16 runs between them.
McSkimming then added Reece Young to his haul before de Boorder headed some spirited resistance with 77 not out.
De Boorder found capable allies in Tarun Nethula, who made 28, and tailender Erasmus, who swung the bat with abandon to contribute a highly entertaining 60 and dominate their stand. Erasmus needed just 50 balls, hitting eight fours and one six, while de Boorder also took the direct approach, striking 11 fours and one six in his innings which occupied 111 balls.
Erasmus then turned to his bread-and-butter role as a seam bowler to help inflict early damage on Otago, having wicketkeeper Reece Young catch opener Leighton Morgan for two.
His new ball partner Martin Bates also chipped in with three wickets and legspinner Nethula accounted for captain Craig Cumming for 25 as Otago's response hit the skids.
Greg Todd, who ended the day on 24 not out, and McSkimming stopped the rot, coming together at 49 for five after the loss of three wickets for no runs.
They cautiously took the score to 90 until McSkimming was caught for 15 off offspinner Bhupinder Singh, leaving Neil Wagner to join Todd as they look to resurrect their team's cause tomorrow.
