HAMPSHIRE are aiming to repeat their 2010 and 2012 heroics after their worst-ever start to a T20 campaign.

For the first time since the format was introduced in 2003, Hampshire have started a T20 competition with three successive defeats.

They are in unchartered territory after following their opening loss at home to Glamorgan with back-to-back defeats against Sussex and Kent last week.

Now they are preparing for two big Vitality Blast games in as many days, with Saturday’s game against Essex at Chelmsford coming less than 24 hours after tomorrow’s visit from Middlesex (7pm).

Hampshire’s start is already worse than in 2012, when they suffered back-to-back defeats following the abandonment of their first match.

But they went on to complete the limited-overs double six years ago and it is still possible to repeat that achievement.

Hampshire will also take encouragement from their inaugural T20 triumph in 2010, when they lost five of their first nine group games but won their last three to sneak into the quarter-finals in the final round of matches.

To qualify for a ninth T20 quarter-finals in ten seasons they will probably need to win seven of their remaining 11 games in the south division.

Middlesex play Somerset at Lord’s tonight after successive defeats of their own, against Essex and Gloucestershire, having won their opener at home to Surrey.

Liam Dawson (75 not out), Tom Alsop (41) and Lewis McManus (38) made Hampshire’s first individual scores above 30 in this year’s competition as James Vince’s side managed 207-6 in reply to Kent’s 210-4 last week – the county’s fifth-highest T20 total and their highest batting second.

Director of cricket Giles White said: “There were good signs in the last game against Kent, but we’re just a little short of runs at the top of the order.

“Hopefully it’s just a matter of time before we get that first win.

“We haven’t had the ideal start but it’s a long competition and these back-to-back games are a chance to turn things around.”