The international schedule has not been finalised yet but there are two inbound tours this summer.
Zimbabwe arrives in January for two tests and three one-day internationals, with the South African tour to follow. The Proteas, who last played a test in Dunedin in February 1964, are scheduled to play three tests and five one-day internationals beginning in February.
With recent improvements to the University Oval, Dykes is bullish about the association's prospects of hosting a test against South Africa.
"We don't make applications anymore but, obviously, we have spoken to New Zealand Cricket and they know what we've done here in the last month and where we are at and what plans are in place with the practice pitches."
Last year, work to improve the drainage and expand the playing surface was carried out, and the final piece of the puzzle is being put into place now.
Work on the new practice pitches began about a month ago and Dykes expects the facility will be operational in time for the beginning of the season and long before South Africa arrives.
"With the council's help, our focus has been to try and get this ground to a point where we can host top quality test matches which means games against Australia, India, South Africa and England.
"I think they [New Zealand Cricket] have accepted that we've got there. It is now just a matter of them allocating the tests. They've certainly been left in no doubt as to how keen we are to have one."
There may still be some concern about the venue's suitability to host a high-profile test within New Zealand Cricket, though.
The ground was out of commission for most of the summer while work was being carried out. On the venue's return to first-class cricket, Auckland was dismissed for just 46 on a day in which 18 wickets tumbled.
It was not a great advertisement for the new pitch block, Dykes acknowledged at the time.
The University Oval made its international debut in January 2008 when the Black Caps played a test against Bangladesh. The West Indies and Pakistan have also played tests at the ground.
Dykes expects New Zealand Cricket will finalise its home international schedule by the end of the week.
