Test matches have been played at the SCG since 1881

Instead visiting Test teams could play matches against Australia at the Olympic stadium in Sydney.

Test cricket has been played at the SCG for nearly 125 years but its capacity is 44,000 - 38,000 less than the Olympic stadium.

Cricket New South Wales chief executive David Gilbert said: "I think the finances are fairly obvious."

Cricket New South Wales has issued a request for tenders and is looking for a five to 10-year contract beginning in the 2005-06 season.

Gilbert said: "We believe we have a very valuable commodity and it's about ensuring cricket flourishes in the state.

"It doesn't take an Einstein to work out that we've got an 82,000 capacity at Homebush [Olympic stadium] and we have a 44,000 capacity at Moore Park [the SCG]."

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All Tests in the state have been played at the SCG since 1881 but Cricket New South Wales' agreement with Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust expires on 30 September 2005.

Since 1881, 91 Tests have been played there and in the last 26 years 118 one-day internationals have been staged at the SCG.