Tasmania 171 and 244 for 5 (Weatherald 94, Silk 51*) lead Western Australia 172 (Hope 4-51, Meredith 3-36, Bird 3-38)

Jake Weatherald missed his century but landed a fresh blow in his battle for a Test debut in the Ashes series.

The Tasmania opener raced to 94 off just 99 balls on day two of the the Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia in Hobart before he was caught in the deep hooking.

He had made 18 in the hosts' first-innings total of 171, as no other player passed 41 on the tricky Bellerive Oval track until Jordan Silk (51 not out) late on day two.

Tasmania were 244 for 5 when rain stopped play slightly before stumps were due to be called.

Left-handed Weatherald, 30, topped last year's Shield run-scorers' list with 906 at an average of 50.33, and remains in the frame for a call-up for the first Ashes Test.

His commanding strokeplay, particularly square of the wicket, was impressive and potentially the perfect complement to the more sedate Usman Khawaja, who is all but assured of one opening spot at Optus Stadium against England next month.

Weatherald, a promising emerging talent at South Australia who has reignited his career with a move south, struck 13 fours and a six in his brisk knock on Thursday.

It came after the visitors had taken a lead of just one run on the first innings, at one stage losing 3 for 3 to be all out for 172 after beginning the day 107 for 4.

Brad Hope ran through the tail, while Riley Meredith and Jackson Bird both finished with three wickets.

Matthew Kelly (3-47) was the pick of the WA bowlers in Tasmania's second innings.