Middlesex suffered a 47-run defeat to Hampshire in their T20 match at Merchant Taylors’ School but heavy rain has seen their County Championship match against Sussex washed out.

A double-header had been agreed with Middlesex hosting Hampshire in a T20 clash before playing host to Sussex in their Division One County Championship clash at Old Merchant Taylors’, however rain throughout the week has seen the game washed out.

Middlesex have played at Merchant Taylors’ School before but have never played a first-class match on Old Merchant Taylors’ pitch.

With four defeats from their first four T20 matches this term, Middlesex sit bottom of the South Group standings, below Gloucestershire – also without a win – by virtue of their inferior run-rate.

The hosts won the toss and put Hampshire into bat first, posting a total of 198 for two.

Opener James Vince smashed his way to 68 from 38 balls to top score, with former England international Owais Shah falling one short of a half-century.

Watford’s Steve Finn could not carry his excellent County Championship form over into the abridged format of the game, failing to take a wicket in his three overs.

The 25-year-old, who is Division One’s leading wicket-taker with 29, was Middlesex’s least economical bowler, conceding 51 runs from his stint.

Ravi Patel claimed both the Hampshire wickets, removing James Adams at 108 and Vince just 11 balls later.

In response, Middlesex could only manage 151 for nine from their 20 overs.

Paul Sterling (40) and Joe Denly (33) top-scored for Middlesex, who suffered a middle-order batting collapse to finish comfortably short.

Finn finished unbeaten on five from four balls.

Danny Briggs was Hampshire’s most effective bowler, finishing with figures of three for 20 from four overs.

With play washed out, Middlesex have confirmed they would be keen to explore the possibility of hosting matches at Merchant Taylors’ ground again in the future.