The venue has been out of action this summer while work has been carried out to improve the drainage, expand the playing surface and re-lay the pitch block.
The ground makes its return when Otago hosts Auckland today.
The game was originally slated for Thursday but was deferred because of the earthquake in Christchurch.
The late change caused a few problems for groundsman Tom Tamati; he had to briskly prepare a new pitch.
The tight time frame was far from ideal, especially when the performance of the pitch will come under close scrutiny.
"It looks like it has a good even covering of grass," Hesson said.
"There is a lot of uncertainty but I know Tom has put a lot of work into it and we are hopeful [it will be a good pitch]."
In the past, pitches at the University Oval have not always been conducive to good cricket. The venue has seen its share of low scores.
The answer has been to re-lay the pitch using a different type of Kakanui clay, which has greater clay content. It is hoped the pitches will last longer and have more pace and bounce.
Otago has made one forced change. Experienced medium pacer Warren McSkimming replaces fast bowler James McMillan, who is sidelined with a hamstring strain.
"I don't think it [his injury] is serious. He probably won't play in the next two games but, hopefully, he will return after that."
Auckland has essentially stuck with the same side that lost to Northern Districts by nine wickets last month, although experienced former international Andre Adams has been added to the squad.
Adams missed the match against Northern Districts with a thigh strain. Opener Tim McIntosh is still recovering from a foot injury suffered in the one-day competition and is unavailable.
Auckland's prospects of securing a third title this season look bleak.
Midway through the tournament, the Aces have just two points and are trailing competition leader Central Districts by 24 points.
Northern is in second place on 18 points and Canterbury (15), Otago (14) and Wellington (13) are all still in contention.
"In the five rounds of four-day cricket so far, it has probably been the format we've been most consistent at. I've been really pleased with the way we've played and we have a chance to carry that on [today]. Auckland coach Paul Strang was still keeping the faith despite his side's faint hopes.
"We've got to focus on getting points in this game, preferably all eight, and then take it from there," Strang said.
"If we get on a roll and win some games, then anything is possible.
"The guys know that their performances are just not quite up where they need to be at the moment. We've got guys getting starts but not quite going on and we've struggled to build pressure at times, but it's all small stuff that we know we can put right."
The sides last met in November, when Otago secured a six-wicket win thanks to some fine strike bowling by Neil Wagner. The left-armer took a 10-wicket bag and is easily the competition's leading wicket-taker with 34 wickets this season.
Northern's Graeme Aldridge is next on the list with 24 victims. Adams is the leading wicket-taker for Auckland with 16 and, with the likes of Chris Martin, Daryl Tuffey and Michael Bates all competing for starting spots, the visitors boast an impressive pace attack.
Otago v Auckland
- University Oval, starts today
• Otago: Craig Cumming (captain), Michael Bracewell, Shaun Haig, Neil Broom, Darren Broom, Derek de Boorder, Mark Craig, Ian Butler, Warren McSkimming, Neil Wagner, Nick Beard, Anthony Bullick.
• Auckland: Andre Adams, Michael Bates, Brad Cachopa, Andrew de Boorder, Colin de Grandhomme, Gareth Hopkins (captain), Anaru Kitchen, Bruce Martin, Chris Martin, Jimmy Neesham, Jeet Raval, Greg Todd, Daryl Tuffey.
