The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) has confirmed it has asked if Adelaide Oval could host the New Year's Test match that is traditionally held in Sydney.
But the premier of New South Wales, Dominic Perrottet, has laughed off the bid in an exchange after today's national cabinet meeting.
SACA president Will Rayner said the organisation had written to Cricket Australia "expressing an interest in hosting the New Year's Test match".
"We believe that the Adelaide Test is the best in the Australian cricket calendar due to a number of factors, including the pitch weather, crowd and economic benefit to Cricket Australia, and should be afforded a premium spot each summer accordingly," he said in a statement.
A Cricket Australia spokesman confirmed the organisation had "received interest" about the New Year's Test ahead of a board meeting next week.
The bid comes after Adelaide Oval played host to the West Indies in December — a team that attracts smaller crowds than most Test-playing sides — and the stadium is also rumoured to be hosting the Caribbean team again next summer.
"I think, if those rumours have any substance, it's pretty outrageous," Mr Malinauskas said.
"So, look, I think the SACA is pushing their case and I've certainly engaged with SACA and I'm happy to assist where we can."
'Ridiculous notion', says Cricket NSW chief
The West Indies matches are scheduled to be played in January, after a series against Pakistan in December.
This year, the third day of the New Year's Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground against South Africa was washed out, and rain also delayed play on the first and second days.
Sydney averages nine days of more than 1 millimetre of rain in January, compared with just three days in Adelaide.
Mr Perrottet commented on the bid while in a press conference with other state and territory leaders and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
"A five-day washed-out Test in Sydney is far better than a five-day Test in Adelaide," he said.
"I mean, because at the end of it you've spent five days in Adelaide."
Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon said he saw "absolutely no reason to break with tradition and custom", and could not foresee "any way in the world that this Test is moving away from Sydney".
"I think it's a ridiculous notion that the New Year's Test should go to Adelaide when it's so much part of the culture of, not only Australian cricket, but also the culture of Australia, to have the Test here in Sydney," he said.
"I would argue that the Sydney Test holds a special place no matter the weather. Most of the memorable moments over the last decade in Australian cricket have been held at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
"I don't think the weather is any reason to shift what is a significant Test match in our calendar."
Mr Malinauskas, who was in Sydney yesterday, said he would support the SACA's bid "if it advances the situation of South Australia".
"Where we can derive an economic outcome as a result of state government advocacy, then we're happy to play in that space, but I think it also goes without saying that, from a cricket fan's perspective, Cricket Australia shouldn't take the SACA and Adelaide Oval for granted," he said.
He pointed out that the AFL had chosen South Australia to host its first Gather Round in April over New South Wales.
"They looked at the evidence and the facts and decided accordingly and we hope that Cricket Australia might one day do the same," he said.
Six of the AFL round's games will be played at Adelaide Oval, with another three hosted by suburban and country grounds.
