Perth Scorchers have gone to the top of the Big Bash ladder after Hobart Hurricanes fell short in their run chase at Bellerive Oval.

Batsman Michael Hill’s best Twenty20 score not enough to secure victory for the Hobart Hurricanes who finished 18 runs short against the tight bowling of the defending champions.

Set 142 for victory Hill added 64 runs from 56 balls for a career best Big Bash innings.

But he couldn’t find support and was the only standout for the hosts, who had been well-placed to win at the innings break.

Openers Ben Dunk (one off three) and Tim Paine (19 off 15) were dismissed in the first four overs

Skipper George Bailey added six (from 10) during his final Big Bash appearance of the season before he goes into the Australian World Cup squad.

Hobart finished at 7-123 with Yasir Arafat claiming two last-over wickets.

Leading competition wicket-taker Jason Behrendorff (2-21 off four overs) again proved valuable for Perth, claiming the scalps of Dunk and Paine.

He was named man of the match.

Earlier it had been a somewhat lacklustre performance with the bat for Perth.

Ashton Turner top-scored for the visitors with 37 off 25, and formed a 62-run partnership with Sam Whiteman (36 off 32).

Hurricane’s British recruit Tim Bresnan was the pick of the hosts bowlers, finishing with three for 18, two of which came in the final over of Perth’s innings.

Behrendorff admitted Perth was below-par with the bat, but said the Scorchers bowling group remained confident.

The fall of Hobart’s early wickets were possibly the most crucial of the match, pegging back the Hurricanes’ run rate.

“That was a big thing for us and luckily enough I was able to get both of those guys,” Behrendorff said after play.

“Once you start taking early wickets … it goes a long way to winning the game and we did that again today.”

Hill said Hobart succeeded in their plan to limit Perth’s total, but then couldn’t claw back.

“They bowled very well, they’ve got some world-class performers and I think Andrew Tye is well on the way to proving he is a pretty special player,” said Hill, who is spending his first season with the Hurricanes after switching from the Melbourne Renegades.

“It was tough but it was still a good wicket and we still should have been able to chase 142.”

Sunday’s result secures a semi-final berth for the Scorchers.