Joe Root enhanced his growing reputation with a stunning 182 to guide Yorkshire to a momentous LV= County Championship win against Durham at the Riverside.

The England batsman, who opens for his county yet bats in the middle order for his country, expertly anchored a chase of 336 for the loss of six wickets, the fourth highest chase in the county’s first-class history.

Root, 22, was helped out by a contributions from Andrew Gale (39), Jonny Bairstow (26), Gary Ballance (21) and Adil Rashid, who finished with an excellent 50 not out.

There were three half-century partnerships for wickets three, four and five and a 101-run stand between Root and Rashid for the sixth.

Root’s England team-mate, Tim Bresnan, hit the winning runs in the 97th over of the innings. There were a further six overs and one ball remaining.

The win erases memories of the opening round division one defeat to Sussex earlier this month, and sets the White Rose up perfectly for today’s clash with Derbyshire at Headingley, from which Ryan Sidebottom has been rested.

Root’s 22 boundaries in 283 balls may not have brought his highest first-class score, but he certainly rated it as his best following last year’s unbeaten 222 against Hampshire at Southampton.

“It’s definitely my most pleasing knock because it’s contributed to a win,” said the right-hander, who displayed a maturity beyond his years to repel the likes of Graham Onions and Chris Rushworth in improving batting conditions and clinch 19 points.

“That’s what it’s about for me. I want to contribute to as many wins as possible. We got a couple of really good partnerships, and the lads who were in felt really good.

“Their whole attack bowled really well and made it tough. I rode my luck at times, but you have to do that to be successful on a pitch like that.”

Root, who was bowled by Callum Thorp with what proved to be the penultimate ball of the match, batted calmly to help recover the score from 23-2 during the morning session, surviving a run out shout on 87 and an appeal for a catch at slip on 93.

His closest call came when he was attempting to complete a second run to Mark Stoneman at deep point during the afternoon. Stoneman hit the stumps, and Durham were convinced they had their man.

Root added: “It was really pleasing to get some points on the board for Yorkshire. It was a great team effort.”

Although Rich Pyrah has been drafted into a 12-man squad for today’s match, Jack Brooks is expected to return to the side in place of Sidebottom.