Jimmy Adams struck a career best 85 as Hampshire closed in on a second successive championship win.

Adams looked on course for only his second first class century, to go with the 107 he managed for Loughborough UCCE against Somerset at Taunton in 2003, while he was belting three sixes in his 105-ball 85.

Adams also hit five fours but sadly did not go on to record his maiden Hampshire hundred after easing past his previous best for his home county, the 75 he scored against Glamorgan at Cardiff two years ago.

The Winchester-born left hander struck Jim Troughton, Dougie Brown and Alex Loudon for his treble of sixes, including one over mid-wicket, after Hampshire had bowled the home side out for 217 in response to their 405.

Adams reached his ninth first class fifty with his fifth and final four, a crisp drive through the covers, before taking the aerial route.

He shared a 93-run second wicket stand in 18 overs with Dimi Mascarenhas (41 from 51 balls), who was promoted to number three ahead of John Crawley to help Adams accelerate the run rate.

Sean Ervine (23 from 15 ) balls also pushed the score along before he was beaten by a slower ball and sent a leading edge straight back to Brown.

Like Adams, Dominic Thornely also hit three maximums - but in successive deliveries from Brown during an over that cost the Scotsman 25 runs.

The first sailed over extra cover and the second, the biggest hit seen at Edgbaston for some time, went straight through a double-glazed window and into the commentary box, from where Radio West Midlands were broadcasting.

Brown later text messaged an apology to the commentator but only after Thornely had elicited more cheers from the Hampshire balcony when he struck his third successive six over long off.

The Australian finished unbeaten on 30 from 16 balls but Adams, who was caught after edging a loose cut, and Crawley, who was caught at mid-off for a second ball duck, both departed in the space of three deliveries from Brown (3-61).

Three overs later, Nic Pothas was bowled, swinging across the line to the last ball before tea, a slower delivery from Heath Streak, and Warne promptly declared at 218-6, setting Warwickshire an improbable 407 to win.

It had been something of a surprise when Warne decided not to enforce the follow on, having taken 5-52 as Warwickshire were rolled over for 217.

Shaun Udal had Tony Frost caught at short fine leg, top edging an attempted sweep, but Warne took four of the last five Warwickshire wickets to fall.

Brown was caught at the wicket early in the day and, after Frost had departed, Warne dismissed Streak and Neil Carter in successive overs before bowling centurion Troughton, the only man to put up any significant resistance with a five-hour 103 (263 balls, 13 fours).

After Hampshire's barrage of eight second innings sixes (Mascarenhas and Ervine also hit one apiece), Warne declared with Warwickshire needing the biggest total of the match to win.

In 1983, Warwickshire reached a target of 417 to win batting last but to beat Hampshire - and an inspired Warne - from this position would be an even greater achievement.

Chris Tremlett made two early breakthroughs before rain ensured an early finish with Warwickshire closing on 69-2.

Carter was sent in as a pinch-hitter to make early inroads towards the formidable target and he hit 23 from 21 balls, including two leg-side sixes against James Bruce, before he sent a Tremlett slower ball to mid-off.

Then Trott's fine run of form came to an abrupt end as he played on attempting to cut.

Warwickshire were a colossal 337 adrift, with eight wickets in hand, going into the last day.