Hampshire missed out in a thrilling opening T20 to Surrey at the Utilita Bowl.

A late flurry of runs from Tom Curran saw Surrey over the line to a five-wicket victory, in pursuit of 163.

Curran scored 37(20) to win the match for his side having taken 3-32 with the ball in the first innings when Surrey won the toss and chose to bowl.

Toby Albert made a breathless 46 before holing out to mid-off from the bowling of Curran in the 16th over, having led the fight back with the bat from 23-3.

Dawson followed Albert scoring a rapid 30(12) to help Hants to a respectable 162-9 from their 20 overs. 

Openers Ben Mcdermott and James Vince both lost their middle stumps to the bowling of Spencer Johnson and Dan Worrall respectively.

Michael Nesser on Hawks debut had the breakthrough in the Surrey innings when he had Lawrence strangled down the legside in the second over.

James Fuller had the vital wicket of Laurie Evans when he bowled the opener for 34 in the 8th over. Liam Dawson followed by picking up the wicket of Ollie Pope stumped for 3.

Jason Roy and Jamie Smith picked up the run rate with some big hitting but Roy’s innings was curtailed for (21) when he played onto his wicket to John Turner in the 13th.

Captain James Vince took a towering catch at long on to dismiss the dangerous Smith on 30, which put Hants in a strong position.