South Australia launches bid to take Sydney new year's Test to Adelaide Oval after fans and experts called for big game to be moved after rain disaster vs South Africa SCG has more washed out days than any other Australian venue Includes this year's annual new year Test match against South Africa South Australia has launched a private bid with Cricket Australia to steal Test By Josh Alston For Daily Mail Australia Published: 17:29 EST, 2 February 2023 | Updated: 17:39 EST, 2 February 2023 e-mail View comments Sydney has a real fight on its hands to retain the new year's Test with the South Australian Government bidding to steal the iconic event and host it at Adelaide Oval. Questions have been raised on the viability of the SCG hosting future Tests at the start of the year after a host of cricket matches were washed out, including this year's clash with South Africa . Australia has only seen 43 days of Test cricket lost to weather in history and 26 of those have been at the SCG. That is two more days than Manchester in the UK, which is often pilloried for its wet, miserable weather. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, pictured at the 2022 Adelaide 500, has been pushing hard for big sporting events in the state and now wants the new year Test Australia's Marnus Labuschagne (2nd R) and Cameron Green (R) sign autographs after their victory during the fourth day of the second cricket Test match between Australia and the West Indies at the Adelaide Oval The late Shane Warne had suggested that Sydney swap with Brisbane and host the first Test match of the summer to avoid the annual deluge, a suggestion met with a cold shoulder by the SCG Trust. Now, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) have approached Cricket Australia in a bid to formally pinch the new year's Test from Sydney. Around 87,000 people turned out for the day/night Test against the West Indies at Adelaide Oval this summer which more than doubled the Perth turnout the week before. South Australia has made a huge push to be a big player in Aussie sport, winning the bid for the AFL's inaugural Gather Round and also hosting the nation's first ever LIV Golf event. Rain falls in front of spectators sitting in the stands during a rain delay on day three of the third cricket Test match between Australia and South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground The late Shane Warne suggested moving the new year Test to Brisbane and having the SCG host the first Test of the summer to avoid washouts The iconic Adelaide Oval has recently had a $535million redevelopment with a seating capacity of 53,500. Malinauskas, SACA and Cricket Australia declined to comment to the Sydney Morning Herald onj their bid. However SACA president Will Rayner has previously flagged the state as the perfect alternative to the SCG and constant rain. 'We believe SACA's got a compelling case in front of Cricket Australia that shows that our premium product deserves premium scheduling,' he said. Malinauskas has also previously panned New South Wales sport fans and said South Australian fans were more likely to turn up to a Test match. 'We get more people to the cricket here for a Test match at Adelaide Oval with our population in comparison to Sydney with their hordes, and footy is no different,' Malinauskas said. 'Turn on the NRL most weekends and it looks like a SANFL game, so we are going to get far bigger crowds here and that is something we're proud of. We welcome the competition, but obviously the best team won. ' South Australia captain Travis Head would get to play in front of home fans on new year's day if the Test was moved to Adelaide Oval The covers being run onto the SCG pitch has been a common site for the new year's Test in Sydney because of the constant inclement weather The South Australian Government's bold plan will be met with stern opposition, though. SCG Trust chairman Tony Shepherd previously said they would not give up the new year's Test without a fight. 'This is the tradition. We've just got to live with the climate,' Shepherd said in January . 'We do get a bit of rain here and sometimes it does disrupt play, but we've just got to get through that. 'It'll be a good season next year because I think we're going to get El Nino (weather pattern) next year, which will mean we will be in the middle of a drought. 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