Veteran skipper Simon Katich has blasted the equal second-fastest fifty of the Big Bash League season to lead the Perth Scorchers to 8-152 against the Hobart Hurricanes at Bellerive.

Katich reached 52 off just 28 balls with a monstrous six off paceman Doug Bollinger and repeated the dose a ball later.

The 37-year-old joined the Melbourne Renegades’ Aaron Finch but the fastest half-century belongs to Brisbane’s Chris Lynn, who reached 50 from 27 balls against Perth.

Katich finished with 66 from 41 balls with five fours and four sixes.

His innings couldn’t have come at a better time for Perth, who were 2-10 before the former Test opener combined with Marcus North (27 from 33 balls) to put on 69 from 52 balls.

Adam Voges chipped in with 35 from 25 balls while Ben Laughlin was the best of the Hurricanes bowlers with 3-19 from his four overs.

Perth had got off to the worst possible start when they lost Herschelle Gibbs (0) in the opening over, a wicket maiden from left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty (1-20).

It got worse when in-form Shaun Marsh was hit on the left thumb by Bollinger (1-28) in the second over.

Marsh batted on after a long delay but was out for six when he chopped Bollinger onto his stumps.

The former Test batsman won’t field during the Hurricanes’ innings.

Third umpire Sam Nogajski ruled Hobart’s Ricky Ponting had taken a catch off the last ball of the innings to dismiss Nathan Coulter-Nile for five after the former Test captain had not claimed the catch.

The winner of the match will jump to third on the BBL ladder.