HAMPSHIRE are aiming to continue one of their best starts to a Natwest T20 Blast campaign,in front of one of their biggest Ageas Bowl crowds against Middlesex tonight.

After starting with wins away to Glamorgan and Sussex, Hampshire are aiming to start a T20 campaign with three successive wins for only the third time.

Hampshire won their first five games in 2011 and 2013, but tend to start slowly.

As captain James Vince said after leading his side to their 19-win at Hove on Wednesday night: “It’s pleasing to start with two wins as we’ve been off the pace in previous seasons.”

The later start to this season’s competition has been well received by punters, as Middlesex know better than anyone.

Brendon McCullum’s side beat rivals Surrey in front of more than 27,205 at Lord’s last night and Hampshire will be cheered on by one of the biggest crowds for a domestic match at The Ageas Bowl this evening.

Around 8,500 are expected, 6,500 tickets having been sold in advance (not including members).

Middlesex began their campaign with a thrilling tie against Gloucestershire after an unbeaten 68 from only 28 balls by former Bashley all-rounder Ryan Higgins.

Dawid Malan has also started the season well. He top scored with 41 as Middlesex chased down Surrey’s 158-9, to win by one wicket with eight balls to spare at the home of cricket.

Malan is on top of his game after hitting a 44-ball 78 on his T20 debut for England against South Africa last month.

Last season he set up a T20 victory against Hampshire with a 48-ball 93, but he has handed the captaincy to former New Zealand star McCullum, who is expected to bat at three.

England captain Eoin Morgan hit 31 at Lord’s last night and former Hampshire seamer Tom Barber, who was released after two one-day games for the county in 2014, is also in the Middlesex squad.

Middlesex will go above south group leaders Hampshire if they win tonight, but second-placed Surrey host Kent.

Essex and Gloucestershire also won last night. Hampshire have named a 13-man squad, with Chris Wood and Jimmy Adams added to the XI that beat Sussex at Hove.

Hampshire (from): Vince (c), Rossouw, Ervine, Carberry, Bailey, Shahid Afridi, McManus, Berg, Abbott, Crane, Topley, Wood, Adams.

Middlesex: Stirling, Malan, McCullum (c), Morgan, Scott, Simpson (w), Higgins, Southee, Sowter, Helm, Barber, Finn, Franklin, Ravi Patel