Tasmanian opener Ben Dunk fell agonisingly short of a maiden Sheffield Shield hundred on day two of the match against Western Australia at Bellerive.

Dunk was caught behind for 97 before the Tigers moved to 4-283 in their first innings by lunch, a lead of 216.

The 25-year-old former Queensland keeper, playing as a batsman only, hit 12 fours and a six in a 208-ball knock that surpassed his previous best of 45.

The left-hander nicked a good delivery from Nathan Coulter Nile (1-64) to WA keeper Tom Triffitt at 3-250 after a 120-run partnership with George Bailey (66) that continued Tasmania’s dominance of the match.

A fiery nine overs from Mitchell Johnson (1-73) delivered the former Test spearhead’s first wicket of the match when he had Bailey caught at fine leg at 4-275.

Johnson floored Tim Paine with a vicious bouncer that hit the Tigers keeper flush on the side of the head and held the match up for several minutes as Paine regathered himself in a new helmet.

The left-arm paceman followed up with a verbal barrage and then a second bouncer wide down the leg side that resulted in four byes.

The home side will resume with Aiden Blizzard unbeaten on 14 and Paine four.