HAMPSHIRE will be aiming to avoid their worst run of T20 form since the shortest format's inaugural season when Sussex visit The Ageas Bowl for tomorrow night's 'El Clasicoast'.

Not since 2003, when Hampshire beat Sussex in the opening game before losing their remaining group games, have the county lost four successive T20 games.

But after three away defeats in seven days at Glamorgan, Kent and Surrey, Hampshire are bidding to buld on last night's dramatic 50-over win against Surrey and return to T20 form at The Ageas Bowl.

It was where they clinched their solitary win in this season's competition, against Kent two weeks ago - and Michael Carberry and James Vince will open the batting again.

Carberry has recovered from soft tissue damage to his hands and is expected to play after a fortnight on the sidelines.

"Carbs looks good to go," said Hampshire's director of cricket Giles White. "He and Vince have been a huge part of our success in recent years so it will be good to have them together again."

Jimmy Adams has made way for Carberry's return. But although he has been included in the squad, Shahid Afridi is by no means certain to play.

Afridi has missed two of the last three limited-overs games but had an X-ray last night to determine the extent of the finger injury that kept him out of Wednesday's Royal London One-Day Cup win against Surrey.

After missing last week's record 80-run T20 defeat at The Oval with a virus, Afridi damaged his spinning finger when he dropped a catch at Bristol on Tuesday.

"Hopefully it's just a bruise," said White. Adam Wheater also remains a doubt with the sore neck that has kept him out of this week's games.

"We're unsure what it is," added White, who has at least been encouraged by Lewis McManus's recent form with the gloves and the bat.

The death bowling of Tino Best and Gareth Berg was another highlight of the RLODC win against Surrey.

Hampshire are likely to use them in tandem regularly in the shortest format as they continue to adjust to the absence of Chris Wood and Reece Topley.

"A lot of things have gone against us with all the injuries and loss of form," added White.

"We've had a slow start but after beating a strong Surrey side it would be nice to back that up."

Sussex will arrive at The Ageas Bowl as south group leaders if they beat Middlesex at Lord's tonight.

Former Sussex U14 Mason Crane has been rested by Hampshire.

Hampshire (from): Carberry, Vince, Alsop, Ervine, Dawson, McManus, Smith, Sammy, Andrew, Berg, Best, Stevenson, Afridi (?) Wheater (?)