JASON Gillespie insists Yorkshire’s task of retaining their LV= County Championship title will not be a straightforward one despite brushing aside leaders Durham by an innings and 47 runs today.

The champions clinched their third successive win and second in a row by an innings before lunch during day four at Emirates Durham.

Asked to follow-on 349 runs behind, Durham began the day 105 runs behind at 244-4.

They were bowled out for 302, losing their last five wickets in 32 balls.

Jack Brooks struck three times to finish with 4-66 from 18.4 overs, including getting the last three wickets in seven balls.

Yorkshire are now 11 points clear of second-placed Durham after eight matches, one less than the north-east county have played.

Given the quality within Yorkshire’s squad and the way they are playing, it is difficult to see how they can be overhauled.

Coach Gillespie, however, sees it differently: "There's a lot of good sides in this division, who are playing some very good cricket,” he said.

“We have to maintain our standards, prepare as well as we can and keep putting in performances. The points table will take care of itself.

"It's not until the end of the season where we'll know who wins what. We can't control any of that. It’s all crystal-balling. What we can focus on is just the task in hand.

"I'd like to think that people are seeing that we are playing some very good cricket. We're halfway through the season and in a good position, but there's a lot of work to do.”

Yorkshire’s 23-point haul was set up by their batsmen, most notably seventh-wicket pair Jonny Bairstow and Tim Bresnan, who both posted career-best scores in a stand of 366 on days one and two.

Then it was over to their bowlers. England Test hopeful Adil Rashid bowled a 30-over spell unchanged from before tea on day three to the early stages of yesterday, claiming two wickets on day three.

Ryan Sidebottom struck twice yesterday and Steve Patterson once to add to the Brooks haul.