Anthony McGrath was the driving force behind Yorkshire's historic win at Grace Road on Saturday, as they recorded their biggest ever fourth innings score to beat Leicestershire by six wickets and make it three consecutive Championship victories.

The previous highest Yorkshire score to win a match was 331 for seven against Middlesex at Lord's 95 years back - but this was easily topped as they strolled to their 404 target, thanks to McGrath's sensational 165 not out.

It was an innings of epic proportions which prompted captain Craig White to say that not only was it the best he had ever seen McGrath play but it was also among the finest innings he had seen from any batsman.

McGrath completed his 13th first class century for Yorkshire.

He set out on the final day on 70 with Yorkshire 261 for three and requiring a further 143.

And so complete was McGrath's domination at the crease that he got them there with a few minutes of the two-hour morning session still to go.

McGrath hammered 20 fours and one five off the 218 balls he received and his splendid innings must have made his team-mate and England captain, Michael Vaughan, wonder if his country's management had done the right thing last year in dropping McGrath from their squads.

Having put on 84 with Vaughan on Friday, it was crucial to Yorkshire's cause that McGrath and Ian Harvey could add considerably to their 77 stand - and they did not disappoint, taking it to 133 in 36 overs before Harvey played Phil DeFreitas into his stumps for 47.

There was still work to be done but Yorkshire remained in total charge as McGrath and White saw them home with an 89 partnership in 18 overs.

It was entirely appropriate that the winning boundary should come from McGrath who had played such a significant part in re-writing the record book.

"It was a fabulous game of cricket and my innings must be up there with the best I have ever played," said McGrath.

"To help Yorkshire score 400-plus for the first time to win a match and to make a big century myself has got to be one of the highlights of my career.''

Last year at Derby, McGrath plundered 174 as Yorkshire chased 358 to win but after McGrath had got out they had to settle for the draw.

"We talked about that game before we started our innings and it was agreed that the key to success was to build up several good partnerships," said McGrath.

"It worked really well with Matthew Wood and Phil Jaques giving us a 94 start and Michael Vaughan, Ian Harvey and Craig White all giving me excellent support after that.

"Strangely, I felt in my worst form of the season at the start of the innings and I was glad to come in with 70 on Friday night but as soon as I resumed on the following morning I felt in really good nick."