Leicestershire’s strange decision to bat first suited Warwickshire’s plan perfectly and their rampant attack – who had bowled out the opposition for less than 200 seven times out of nine – maintained that streak.
They took two wickets in the first two overs as Sheridon Gumbs played inside Bamber’s fourth ball which hit off-stump and Rishi Patel offered no shot to be LBW to Woakes, who then Steve Eskinazi caught at point.
With the Foxes 15-3, overseas linchpin Nick Kelly having returned home injured and Hamza Shaikh unable to play against the club from which he is still technically on loan, Leicestershire were in disarray.
They never recovered as Jonny Tattersall and Budinger and fell to successive deliveries.
Tattersall became Olly Hannon-Dalby’s 370th first-class wicket for Warwickshire before Budinger edged the next ball, from skipper Ed Barnard, to second slip.
Former Worcestershire keeper Ben Cox, a T20 Finals Day winner on this ground eight years ago, and skipper Ian Holland dug in either side of lunch.
But Bamber struck twice more as Holland edged to third slip and Ben Green nicked to first.
A perfect outswinger from Woakes ended Cox’s diligent innings, Ajaz Patel dragged on a pull at Bamber and Josh Hull then offered a simple return catch.
Warwickshire’s reply started badly when Rob Yates played on to Holland’s seventh ball.
Dan Mousley struck four quick fours to get the innings going but then changed his bat and edged the next ball, from Holland, to third slip.
Will Young edged Green to first slip and Vansh Jani started with two sparkling boundaries but then skied a mow at spinner Patel, but Hain once again delivered the vital central role.
As composed and organised as ever, accompanied by a flurry of boundaries from Barnard, it was a five off the helmet that eased the Bears in front just before the close.
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