With the Western Australian foreign state officially a no-go zone, Bellerive Oval is perfectly poised and should be the national governing body's first port of call as a replacement host venue for the fifth and possible deciding Ashes Test due to start on January 14.

Premier Peter Gutwein has been putting forward the state's case for weeks with a possible day-night Test at the MCG Tasmania's closest rival.

Tasmania has never hosted an Ashes Test and has been denied the game's longest format since 2016.

Hobart was destined to welcome Test cricket back last month, however, the Taliban's militant takeover in Afghanistan saw what would have been the first Test match between the two nations postponed.

Cricket Australia has an opportunity to inspire a new generation of Test cricket followers in Tasmania during a time many sports - excluding the growth of female participation - are experiencing a drop in player number.

Media reports on Monday suggested Tasmania's bid to host the match would be contingent on a guarantee the fixture's net return equals that of a possible Melbourne alternative.

Cricket Australia's board must see past the balance sheet and must not follow other sports in being blinded by dollar signs.

There is no doubt COVID has financially impacted Cricket Australia's coffers, but the chance of a packed Bellerive Oval shouldn't just come down to cash.

And a serious question that needs to be asked, is there an appetite in Victoria for two Tests in three weeks?

The memories of Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, David Warner and co taking on England in a Test match in Hobart will have a far greater lasting impact than a quick cash grab by selling the match to the MCG.

The easy decision is to take the money and run.

The right decision is to award Tasmania a historic sporting moment for the ages.

Cricket Australia, you won't regret it.