Paul Stirling's prolific form in T20 cricket continued as he scored his third consecutive half-century for Middlesex against Hampshire at Richmond Park last night.

Stirling carried his bat scoring an unbeaten 82 from 64 balls, which included 7 fours and 3 sixes as Middlesex posted 156 for 2.

It wasn't enough to carry Middlesex to victory though, as Irish passport holder Sean Ervine hit a 51 ball unbeaten 75 (5 fours, 3 sixes) to carry Hampshire to a four wicket win.

On Tuesday Stirling turned in a performance to remember in front of the Sky Sports cameras as he smashed 63 from just 37 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes) as Middlesex racked up 207 for 2 in 20 overs - Eoin Morgan chipping in with 36 from just 18 deliveries.

That proved 48 runs too many for Kent.

Last week Stirling had made a typically boundary laden 71 from just 49 balls as Middlesex defeated Hampshire.

This rich of vein of form has led to calls for Stirling to be included in the England T20 ranks, but thankfully, for Irish fans at least, Stirling doesn't satisfy the qualification criteria for another two years.

Stirling's innings against Hampshire last night led to a flood of calls for his inclusion in the Middlesex championship squad, as yet again this season his absence has been quite baffling given his sensational form in the abbreviated formats.

Speaking about his recent good form Stirling said: "It's always nice to be in good form and I'm hitting them pretty well. The most pleasing thing about the last two knocks was that they were entirely different. Scoring 82 not out on a slow turner at Richmond is a real confidence booster.

"It was a massive disappointment last night with that loss to Hampshire effectively ruling us out of progressing further in the competition."

George Dockrell and Kevin O'Brien were part of the Somerset side which romped to a comfortable win against a Northants side which didn't contain Niall O'Brien.

Dockrell claimed two wickets in the seven wicket win, while Kevin bowled tidily conceding just 13 runs from 3 overs.