Lyth's chanceless 132 lasted 95 overs and more than six hours, before he became the 12th of 15 lbw victims in this match of swing and more swing.

With his seventh-wicket partner Tim Bresnan (36) also gone leg before to the very next ball just before tea – giving Ealham, with seven for 59, his best performance for Nottinghamshire – it took only another 10 minutes to finish Yorkshire off for 290 and wrap up the win by 112 runs.

There was no doubt, however, that Lyth's 267-ball innings had turned home frustration into genuine disquiet as Yorkshire crept ever closer to a famous run chase, particularly once Bresnan emerged as such a sturdy partner in a seventh-wicket stand of 93.

Nottinghamshire began this morning with obvious pretensions to victory – and after Ealham had seen off Gerard Brophy early on, their success seemed merely a matter of time.

Yorkshire had Lyth, left, on the case though – and he had other ideas.

Admirable temperament and concentration appear to be allied with a pedigree top-order defence and range of strokes in the 20-year-old left-hander from Whitby.

It all added up to a 218-ball hundred which featured not only 14 fours but power to add, the number three continuing his odyssey as he and Bresnan so nearly batted throughout the afternoon.

"We thought we could do it – we were always going for the win," said Lyth at the close of play.

"But I got a good ball, and 'Bres' got one that kept low."