RAVI Bopara is hoping that Essex Eagles take inspiration from last season as they look to turn around their NatWest T20 Blast campaign.

A year ago, the Eagles lost four of their first five fixtures in the competition going into a home match against Hampshire.

Essex won it and built up a head of steam that helped them qualify for the knockout stages.

Hampshire are back in Chelmsford tonight with Essex having won just one of five matches this season.

The in-form Bopara hopes lightning strikes again, though he is not as quick as some to label the latest game under lights as must-win.

“It is a little bit,” admitted Bopara. “But if you look at the numbers it is not must-win.

“Even if we lost every game up to six games to go, and then won every game in the last six, we should still go through.

“But in terms of morale and belief, it is a must-win game.

“It will mean a lot to the boys if we beat Hampshire. It’s all about confidence.”

The Eagles have lost three of the five games from winning positions, with the most recent being on Wednesday night at the Oval when they fell 10 runs short chasing just 151 to beat a Kevin Pietersen-inspired Surrey.

Dan Lawrence dropped the former England batsman on 13, and that proved costly as Pietersen went on to notch a half-century.

Mohammad Amir finished with figures of 2-13 from his four overs, but the Eagles struggled with the bat as Ryan ten Doeschate top scored with 28 not out.

And Bopara acknowledged that the Eagles must improve.

Bopara added: “We weren’t good enough and we haven’t been good enough so far in the competition.

“I wouldn’t say we are the strongest or most skilful T20 outfit compared to a lot of teams this year.

“A lot of teams have moved on with their game, and we are slightly playing catch-up. But that happens.

“Having said that, our four-day game has gone through the roof.

“It’s difficult to be like that in every format.

“We just haven’t nailed it in T20 but we’re not really concerned.

“It’s not really impacted in the dressing room because, if I’m being brutally honest, I would say a lot of the lads have got their eyes set on a Championship win more than anything.

“The lads are not too concerned or too down - we’re in a good place.”

The Eagles will be aiming to pick up their second win of the season when they take on Hampshire.

And they will be seeking revenge against Glamorgan, who will have South African David Miller making his debut, on Sunday. The Welsh side defeated the Eagles by five wickets a week previously.