Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams is targeting a final-day victory at The Ageas Bowl, after a brave declaration by Kent.

After three successive LV County Championship draws, Hampshire have every chance of securing their second win of the season following an agreement with Kent captain Geraint Jones to set up a last-day run chase.

Jones was unbeaten on 24 when he declared Kent’s first innings at 321-7, 134 runs behind Hampshire’s formidable 455.

He and Adams discussed what to set as the visitors’ second-innings target as Kent approached the 306 needed to avoid the follow-on.

Hampshire lost Adams and Michael Carberry in the first three overs of their second innings and when Neil McKenzie (27) chopped on, Kent would have hoped to take the remaining seven wickets without need for the game's second declaration.

But Liam Dawson (35no) and James Vince (23no) reached stumps on 98-3 - a lead of 232 - and Kent are expected to be set a target of around 320-340 in 80-85 overs tomorrow morning.

Adams said: “I hope we can force a result either way. I spoke to Geraint while we were out there and it’s a case of trying to make the game go forward.

“As we negotiated we were losing time but it’s a good declaration by them and hopefully we’ll have a good final day.

“We’re looking to have 80-odd overs at four an over. It’s going to be a hard day’s work but we’re prepared to have that to get the win we need.

“We need as many overs as possible because it’s proved hard to bowl teams out and it’s always nice to have a second new ball [available after 80 overs]. If they’re in the chase it will also make wickets easier to come by.”

Hampshire’s players briefly met new teammate Sohail Tanvir, the Pakistani seamer, before he headed to The Oval to watch his compatriots lose a thriller against West Indies in the Champions Trophy.

He may well provide the attack with the cutting edge required to take 20 wickets when he makes his debut against Gloucestershire next week.

But in the meantime it is hoped the enterprise of the two captains will be rewarded with a game to match the excitement of the Windies' two-wicket win.

Although the pitch used for this match has flattened out, Hampshire’s chances of taking ten wickets today will be boosted considerably by Kent’s need for their first win of the season. Victory would see Hampshire leap from fifth into second.