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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Ali Martin

England’s ‘benchmark’ win was built on pragmatism and flexibility

England captain Ben Stokes celebrates
England captain Ben Stokes celebrates after taking the final wicket of Lungi Ngidi on day three of the second Test Photograph: Stu Forster/ECB/Getty Images

There was a collective dustiness in Manchester on Sunday, with revellers from the city’s vibrant Pride parade and its bumper sporting weekend blinking in the sunshine as they sought solutions to various self-inflicted ailments.

After levelling the series against South Africa through three days of dominance, England’s players began their Saturday evening celebrations on the outfield at Old Trafford; a wholesome game of cricket with some of the squad’s younger family members was staged as a salmon sky developed overhead.

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