TOM Alsop will be hoping to turn the clock back almost exactly a year tomorrow evening

It was on July 29 2016 that Alsop blasted a T20 best 85 for Hampshire in an 83-run victory over Somerset at The Ageas Bowl.

Alsop struck four sixes and nine fours in his 57-ball innings that helped the hosts total 181-3, before Liam Dawson bagged 5-17 as a below-strength Somerset were routed for 98.

Alsop will no doubt like to emulate that performance against the same opponents in tomorrow's South Group tie in Taunton.

The England Lions batsman was left out of Hampshire’s first three T20 games of the summer, but on his first outing against Sussex a week ago top scored with 64. The next best score was Kyle Abbott’s 14 as Hampshire could only muster 126-9 en route to defeat.

Alsop made nine two days later when another below-par batting display, this time at Chelmsford, saw Hampshire lose again.

Alsop is included in a 13-man Hampshire squad as they bid for their first ever T20 success at Taunton at the fifth time of asking.

Fellow Academy product Mason Crane is also included, and the England T20 international has been in economical form this season.

Crane has so far taken seven wickets for 106 runs in the tournament, and boasts an economy rate of 5.88.

He is one of only two bowlers - out of those who have sent down at least 10 overs - who have an economy rate of under one a ball.

The other is also no stranger to south coast cricket - Gloucestershire seamer David Payne.

The Poole-born former Bournemouth bowler has an economy rate of 5.75 after taking combined figures of 7-75 off his 78 deliveries for Hampshire’s South Group rivals.

Sean Ervine is expected to return from injury tonight, and West Indian Fidel Edwards is also included in the squad.

Hampshire will drop out of the top four if they were to lose a third successive T20 tie tonight. Contrastly, they could move into joint top position with a win in the west country and if other results go in their favour.

Hampshire (from): James Vince, Michael Carberry, Tom Alsop, Rilee Rossouw, George Bailey, Shahid Afridi, Sean Ervine, Gareth Berg, Lewis McManus, Reece Topley, Mason Crane, Fidel Edwards, Kyle Abbott.