Jonny Bairstow said Yorkshire’s crucial LV= County Championship victory against Warwickshire yesterday provided him with one of the biggest highs of his career so far.

The 20-year-old hit 64 not out off 61 balls to ensure the White Rose chased down 200 from a minimum of 37 overs in the final session at Headingley with 14 balls and six wickets to spare.

Yorkshire are now 21 points clear of Nottinghamshire at the top, although the Trent Bridge side still have two games in hand.

“To beat a Championship side in such an important situation, especially with how hard we’ve been working, is right up there with regards to feelings I’ve had,” he said after completing the win with a six over mid-wicket off leg-spinner Imran Tahir.

Yorkshire’s chase was underpinned by Jacques Rudolph’s 80 off 91 balls. But, when Rudolph was run out in the 27th over with Yorkshire at 127-3, the game was in the balance.

But Bairstow, whose 81 was key in beating the same opponents at Edgbaston in the first week of the season, was exceptional with power- hitting and tireless running.

Rikki Clarke’s unbeaten 127 gave the visitors hope of scuppering Yorkshire’s charge for a fourth victory, with Warwickshire reaching a second innings total of 371 at tea. He and Imran (41) had shared a frustrating 75 for the eighth wicket.

Adil Rashid claimed two more victims to finish with 5-137 from 39, while Steve Patterson nagged away with 3-25 from 15.3 overs.

Adam Lyth and Anthony McGrath departed inside 12 overs of the chase, but Rudolph and Bairstow shared 80 for the third wicket.

Yorkshire’s running bet-ween the wickets was largely excellent, but Rudolph was run out going for two to start the nerves jangling. At that stage, Yorkshire needed 74 off 64 balls.

It was a tough ask but a combination of brilliant batting and dreadful fielding meant that Yorkshire, with the help of important cameos from Gerard Brophy and Rashid, extended their lead at the top in style.

Bairstow added: “We’ve done well to go 21 points clear of Notts, though they’ve got two games in hand. We’ve got them to play twice in the run-in.”

Yorkshire visit Old Trafford tomorrow night for a televised must-win Twenty20 Roses match against Lancashire.