The venue has been out of action since the end of last summer while work has be carried out to improve the playing surface, drainage system and, most importantly, the pitch block.
Otago was scheduled to host Auckland at the ground on Thursday but the match was deferred until yesterday to allow the Canterbury team time to regroup after last month's earthquake.
That created some problems for groundsman Tom Tamati, who had to hastily prepared a new wicket to host the delayed fixture.
However, Turner said the pitch played well.
"There did not seem to be much sideways movement, which is always helpful for batting," Turner said.
"There was a little bit of uneven bounce but not markedly so. It was easy-paced but you are going to get that when it is so newly laid.
"It is not lightning quick but it is fine."
The outfield was much slower than normal, with Tamati forced to leave the grass longer than usual for safety reasons.
Work done to improve the drainage has left the ground crisscrossed with drainage slits which are still slightly exposed.
If Tamati cut the grass lower it would expose those slits too much which could make fielding dangerous.
It is just a matter of the grass needing more time to take root.
Tamti was encouraged with how the pitch performed yesterday.
The wickets at the University Oval have not always been conducive to good cricket and the ground has seen its share of low scores.
But the pitch block has been relaid and Tamati is happy with the results.
"The bounce and the carry that is coming through now is a hell of a lot better than we have seen down here before," Tamati said.
Meanwhile, Otago's final Plunket Shield match against Wellington on April 3, which was slated for the University Oval, has been shifted to Queenstown after a request from the Dunedin City Council.
DCC sports fields and facilities manager Harold Driver said there was still work to be carry out on the ground.
Another 20m of sand will be spread out across the playing surface and the grass will need time to recover in time for the rugby season.
