Hampshire Hawks coach gives verdict on Vitality Blast chances

The Hawks lost by 63 runs at Taunton after Somerset scored 241 for five from their 20 overs - with Tom Abell and Sean Dickson doing much of the damage.

The defeat leaves the Utilita Bowl side seventh in the south group with four points from their opening four matches but crucially they have the same record as Kent in third.

The South African still feels his team can put a run together to progress further in the competition.

He claimed: "We have two out of four (wins). We are in the mix, we're right in the middle, mid-table, I would think.

"Let's hope we can finish like in previous years, and we can finish strong."

Captain James Vince celebrates his run out of Gloucestershire's Ben Charlesworth last Friday. (Image: PA)

Hampshire will travel to Sophia Gardens to face another of the teams on four points, Glamorgan on Thursday.

Due to the tight nature of the south group table, the Hawks will not want to lose any ground to the Welsh county.

The Cardiff-based side were beaten by Essex Eagles last time out despite Hampshire loanee Mason Crane taking four wickets for 25.

Birrell has been impressed with Glamorgan but hopes the similarities between the ground at Taunton and Sophia Gardens, will prove in his side's favour.

He explained: "It's a small ground and we will have to come up with our plans.

"They are a good batting side, they are doing quite well in this tournament, so, we will have to make sure that we are on the money with that.

"(Sunday's game) was a good sort of run-out for us because I think the grounds are pretty similar. This was an exceptionally good pitch.

"But, we sort of expect the same dimensions, so we have to make sure that we are on the money with our plans."

Hampshire then host Middlesex on Friday as part of their Utilita Bowl double-header with the Southern Vipers.

Vipers will be in action against Northern Diamonds at 3PM before the Hawks get underway at 7PM.