HAMPSHIRE head coach Adi Birrell admitted his side “haven’t really got firing yet” after two defeats from three T20 Blast games.

The Hawks suffered a nine-wicket thumping at the hands of Sussex at Hove on Saturday.

That result came after a 38-run loss to Kent in their South Group opener and a narrow 13-run success at Essex on Friday.

Hampshire have failed to reach 160 or more during their first three efforts in the shortest format.

But Birrell believes his side will start to find their form with the bat moving forward. They face Middlesex at Radlett tomorrow.

“We played well on Friday – scrapped to 155 and managed to win that one,” the coach told BBC Radio Solent.

“But our batting – we haven’t really got firing yet. Hopefully we can do that very soon.

Reflecting on the defeat to Sussex, Birrell said: “We didn’t play very well and didn’t get a good start. We were probably 20 or 30 short with the bat.

“It was always going to be difficult with their line-up to defend a low total, so we are disappointed.”

Skipper James Vince added: “If we can get a couple of guys making scores of 50-plus as Sussex had, it makes things much easier.”

Middlesex have suffered defeat in their first two Blast encounters.