Openers fight back for Tigers after Whiteman's epic ton

Young batter Caleb Jewell has notched a second career first-class century as his 197-run opening stand with Tim Ward brought Tasmania back into their Marsh Sheffield Shield clash against Western Australia in Hobart.

The 24-year-old was out for 102 in the shadows of stumps on day two at Blundstone Arena as the Tigers reached 2-210 in reply to the visitor's 9(dec)-405.

Jewell and rookie Ward (86) batted for about five hours until both fell late in the day to in-form fringe Test quick Jhye Richardson (2-36 from 19 overs).

In another energetic display, Richardson had Jewell caught at point in the final half hour of play, after extracting the edge of Ward's bat a few overs earlier, backing up his eight wickets for the match in WA's convincing win over Queensland.

Test allrounder Cameron Green was the most economical WA bowler, with his eight overs going for eight runs.

The visitors missed a number of chances to break the opening partnership earlier, with Jewell dropped three times, including twice on 76, while Ward was dropped on 10.

"We hung in there and showed a bit of fight which was good," Jewell said after play on day two.

"I got a couple of breaks, which is nice. There are times when you're pretty unlucky in cricket, so I just wanted to make the most of it."

The century stand, which was the pair's second of the season, has set the match up for an intriguing final two days, with Tasmania going to stumps 195 runs behind.

Earlier, WA skipper Sam Whiteman finished unbeaten on 176, his highest first-class score and eighth career century.

Whiteman, who has taken the reins in the absence of injured veteran Shaun Marsh, resumed on 151 and passed his previous best of 174 in a 309-ball knock that included 20 fours and one six.

"I haven't had the start to the season I would have liked. To go on a get a big score was pleasing ... the team really needed it," Whiteman said.

Richardson couldn't add to his overnight score of 43 before Whiteman declared about 45 minutes from lunch.

Tasmania's quicks Lawrence Neil-Smith and Gabe Bell both finished with three scalps, while veteran Peter Siddle picked up two tailenders.

Tim Paine is a notable absentee for Tasmania, with the former Test captain opting to return to cricket via a second XI game against South Australia which began on Monday in Hobart.

The 36-year-old, who stood down from the role on Friday over a series of lewd text messages to a female colleague, took six catches as SA second XI were bowled out for 165. Paine is listed to bat at No. 5 on Tuesday.