What the economic value of hosting a test against Australia could be is still unclear, although it may be along the same lines as a rugby test in Dunedin.
The Otago Cricket Association has started a drive to secure lights at the University Oval, with New Zealand Cricket promising a steady diet of international matches at the venue if lights are installed.
The lights come at a cost of $2 million but the association hopes to get the Dunedin City Council to provide $1 million of that.
Dunedin may host a test against the powerful Australians next year if the lights can be in before next summer. The test would not be staged under lights, but would be among the rewards for the Oval committing to the upgrade.
When contacted, Turner said grounds such as the University Oval and Hagley Oval in Christchurch were the types of grounds needed to host test cricket.
''They are boutique grounds which are very spectator-friendly. They are nice places to sit down and watch cricket for a long time,'' he said.
''They are far better than the concrete jungles in other cities ... and those sort of grounds can be very expensive to play in. They may hold more people but, overall, they cost more to run.''
Turner said Australia would be a popular visitor to Dunedin. The Australians have never played a test in the city.
''Often what happens in most sports is your nearest neighbour is generally your biggest rival. Because people are so much closer in many ways and you see more of them, you have a bit more of a connection with them and want to beat them, I suppose.''
Turner has some reservations around playing test cricket at night, because of dew and the ability of the white ball to retain its colour.
''But these things often come down to money and they may be prepared to live with the changes for the sake of making a bit more money.''
Cricket at night is more attractive for broadcasters, especially those in the Asian market.
Otago cricket is finalising its funding submission to the council, and included will be the economic impact a test against Australia would have for Dunedin. Although the association is still working through the figures, hosting a top-ranked team like Australia is likely to be worth millions.
A crowd of 22,188 attended the test over five days against England two years ago.
An economic impact report was not carried out after that test but businesses across the city were likely to have earned millions.
A similar-sized crowd would be expected if Australia played at the Oval.
An economic impact report from last year's rugby test between the All Blacks and England showed the city benefited from an $8 million cash injection for a one-night test attended by more than 28,000.
