Tim Ambrose's first century in the LV County Championship for 12 months enabled Warwickshire to turn up the pressure on the early-season Division Two leaders Leicestershire at Edgbaston.

The England wicketkeeper compiled an undefeated 156 and shared in three-figure stands with Jonathan Trott and Neil Carter as the home side built up to a declaration at 433 for eight.

Set 284 to avoid the follow-on, Leicestershire had some problems in reaching 125 for one.

Tom New smacked a short ball to point in Monde Zondeki's second over and Ian Salisbury put down chances at third slip from Matt Boyce (32 not out) and HD Ackerman, unbeaten with 82 from 98 balls.

Warwickshire's domination with the bat on the third day of a rain-truncated match was largely due to Ambrose's mastery of an attack which had became increasingly ragged as the runs piled up.

Although it is less than seven weeks since he scored his maiden Test century in New Zealand, this was his first county century since he made a career-best 251 not out against Worcestershire at New Road at the beginning of last May.

Driving particularly well through the midwicket area, he hit 22 boundaries from 231 balls and gave only one chance at 112 when Boeta Dippenaar failed to hold an edge to slip off left-arm spinner Claude Henderson.

Ambrose's partnership with Trott, which began late on the first day, eventually extended well into the third morning and was worth 152 before Leicestershire enjoyed sudden riches with three wickets in the hour or so after claiming the new ball.

Trott's long wait for a Championship century - now covering 45 innings since May 2006 - continued when he fell for 82.

A conservative performance, containing only seven boundaries from 179 balls, ended with a catch behind the wicket off Dillon du Preez.

Warwickshire then stuttered towards lunch after losing two wickets in an over from Garnett Kruger. The South African removed the struggling Ant Botha with a catch by Dippenaar at second slip and bowled Salisbury for a duck.

Leicestershire's breakthrough only set them up for a pounding by Ambrose and Carter in a partnership of 157, a Warwickshire record for the eighth-wicket against the Foxes, surpassing the 148 put on by WG Quaife and Albert Whittle at Edgbaston in 1902.

The uncomplicated Carter attacked everything in his slot and galloped to his first Championship 50 in three years in 58 balls.

In a measured assault, he hoisted sixes to take Warwickshire past 300 and then 400 but was lured into a mistake by a bowler in his first spell for Leicestershire.

Having clouted two sixes in Jacques du Toit's opening over, the left-hander top-edged the South African to short fine leg after facing 92 balls for his 84. He also hit seven fours.

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