The venue has a chequered past when it comes to the strips out the middle. So when two groundsmen make separate visits to the ground in the space of a week, you could be forgiven for getting a little suspicious.
New Zealand Cricket grounds and facilities manager Ian McKendry was in Dunedin yesterday to help with preparations for the opening test against South Africa at the University Oval next month.
Earlier in the week, McLean Park groundsman Phil Stoyanoff visited the city to exchange ideas with University Oval groundsman Tom Tamati.
McKendry's visit was standard practice. He checks in with the groundsmen around the country before every major event.
"It is an ICC regulation that before every international the ground is inspected," McKendry said.
"So this is just a normal pre-game inspection and a way to support the groundsman to make sure everything is on track."
McKendry was pleased with what he saw yesterday, although he acknowledged the pitch was on the soft side. The ball left indentations on the playing surface and, in the past, that has been an issue.
Once the dents dry they act like corrugations and can cause the ball to deviate sharply. That makes batting difficult.
Regular visitors to the University Oval have seen some calamitous innings. Auckland was dismissed for just 46 last season and has traditionally struggled. In December 2007 the Aces were dismissed for 94 and 128, which prompted a public outburst from then coach Mark O'Donnell.
"If you'd put a test attack on that surface you'd probably have killed someone once the divots dried out," he told The New Zealand Herald.
The pitch was re-layed at the end of the 2009-10 season and McKendry believes it is an improved surface.
"The pitch is playing fine. It has nice pace, good carry and the grass cover is as good as I've seen anywhere around the country.
"We are encouraged by the carry out there. Chris Martin and Mitchell McClenaghan got good carry. It is not loopy tennis ball bounce, it actually on a nice plane and coming through well, which makes it a good cricket surface.
"There are very promising signs for a very good surface for the test match."
