BIRMINGHAM Bears began their T20 Blast campaign with successive defeats against Notts Outlaws and Durham.
Sam Hain’s heroics proved in vain against Notts at Trent Bridge as the Bears suffered a seven-wicket defeat with five balls left to play.
Hain (92 not out), Ed Barnard (55) and Alex Davies (40) helped the Bears reach 226-5 at the end of their 20 overs.
Hain’s knock included six fours and six sixes and came from just 49 deliveries while Barnard reached a half-century in a 28-ball innings.
However, Notts piled on the runs in reply as opener Joe Clarke (58) scored a quickfire half-century in 23 balls.
And Jack Haynes (89 not out) then scored 14 boundaries from 41 deliveries as Notts found 19 runs in the penultimate over.
Notts needed just two runs from the final six balls as Tom Moore (8 not out) hit a four to deny the Bears victory in a high-scoring affair.
And Birmingham then lost by three wickets against Durham at Edgbaston.
Hain (45) top scored again with the bat with the Bears all out for just 143 at the end of their 20 overs.
Durham opener Graham Clark (40) and Ollie Robinson (45) helped the visitors to victory with three wickets and 17 balls to spare.
The Bears continue their T20 Blast campaign against Yorkshire on Friday, June 6 with the game to begin at 7pm at Edgbaston.
