HAMPSHIRE ace Toby Albert accepted the Hawks need to "put right" their opening day T20 Blast defeat to Surrey.

Tom Curran produced heroics with bat and ball to give Surrey victory at Utilita bowl – and get revenge for last weekend’s County Championship mauling.

With the ball, fast bowler Curran claimed three for 32 to peg the Hawks back and help restrict them to 162.

But his starring role came with the bat as he came in with 63 needed with 38 balls remaining to smash 37 off 20 to see Surrey to a five-wicket win.

Championship holders Surrey had been humbled by their record-heaviest defeat on Sunday but had their own back to open the T20 Blast.

Speaking after the match, Albert said: “It isn’t an ideal way to start the competition.

"Even with five overs to go, we thought that we had a chance but Curran did really well at the end there and took the game away from us.

“In T20 you have never won the game and they had good players to come in at the back end of their order.

“I thought from three down early we did well to get to the core we did. You always want more but about 20 more would have been about right.

“Me and Joe (Weatherley) batted together in the Second XI at Arundel last week and we’ve batted a lot together. We had clear plans and went to them. They came off to some extent today.

“My white ball game is very different to my white ball game, especially with the sort of shots I play, it is two very different things.

“Hopefully we can put it right against Kent. We know they are a strong Surrey side but we are disappointed not to get the win.”

Surrey all-rounder, Curran added: “You always want to start with a win. It was a very close game and both teams had good moments throughout and we are pleased to get over the line.

“The game was pretty set out for me when I came into bat so I needed to try and be positive.

“I was pleased to get a few wickets through the middle as they were building nicely there. There were another couple of guys who bowled really nicely.

“We didn’t play the perfect game but it is always nice to win the games where you feel you can improve on a lot of things.

“The guys have had a great start to the Champo but there was disappointment (about the Hampshire defeat). I’m sure the boys had the bit between their teeth.

“We’re a class side but are missing quite a few guys at the World Cup. It just goes to show the strength and depth that we’ve got. I feel we are a strong side but there are still 13 games to go.”