Joe Root enhanced his growing reputation as a star in the making with a stunning 182 to guide Yorkshire to a record-breaking LV= County Championship win against Durham at the Riverside on Saturday.
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 county’s fourth-highest successful pursuit in their first-class history.
Root, 22, was helped out by a quartet of contributions from Andrew Gale, Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance and most notably Bradford all-rounder Adil Rashid, who finished with an excellent 50 not out.
There were half-century partnerships for wickets three, four and five and a 101-run stand between Root and Rashid for the sixth.
The win erased memories of the Division One defeat to Sussex in the opening round earlier this month and set up Yorkshire perfectly for tomorrow’s clash with Derbyshire at Headingley, from which Ryan Sidebottom has been rested.
Root’s 22 boundaries in 283 balls may not have brought about his highest first-class score but he certainly rated it as his best following last year’s unbeaten 222 against Hampshire.
“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. Hopefully we can take that into the match against Derbyshire.
“Durham’s 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 finally 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.
He survived a close run-out call on 87 and an appeal for a catch at slip after reaching 93.
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