A 10-wicket victory over Sussex Sharks made it three wins from five for the Hawks, who began their 2022 campaign with four successive defeats before going on to claim their third title
Ben McDermott has hailed Hampshire Hawks' ominous start to their T20 Blast title defence following the emphatic 10-wicket victory over Sussex at the Ageas Bowl.
Hants have now won three of their last four after previous wins over Middlesex and Essex.
Sharks were bowled out for 144, a target the hosts chased down without losing a wicket and with 5.1 overs to spare.
Champions in 2022 courtesy of a final ball victory over Lancashire Lightning, their campaign had begun in inauspicious fashion with four successive defeats - but it has been a no-nonsense start this summer.
"This is a better start than we've had in the past couple of years," said Ben McDermott. "Hopefully we can keep going, it is a long tournament, and we need to peak at the right time."
James Vince continued his hot start to the competition with an unbeaten 71 (Warren Little/Getty Images)
McDermott hit 69 as part of the opening stand worth 145 with captain James Vince, whose 71 not out maintained a hot streak of form which has included two unbeaten scores of 88, and 103.
It capped off a week during which the England batter became the highest run-scorer in Blast history.
"It has been a bit of a slow start for me in the tournament, but Vince has been unbelievable," marvelled McDermott. "We got through a scratchy start and saw it through to the back end.
"It is really fun to bat with him. He takes all the pressure off you, is so elegant and doesn't even look like he is taking a risk when he finds the boundary time and time again."
Hampshire are bidding to become the first county to defend their title (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Liam Dawson took his wicket tally for the competition to nine with figures of 2 for 18, dismissing Shadab Khan and Michael Burgess within three deliveries in the 10th over.
The second scalp summed up the calamitous nature of Sussex's innings as Dawson's delivery ricocheted off McDermott and onto the stumps, leaving Burgess short of his ground.
"Dawson has been taking important wickets for us at crucial times," added McDermott. "He takes the ball in crucial spots and gets it done for us. He has been excellent for us, and it sort of goes unnoticed."
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