But Jacobs (65) and then Campbell (51) were dismissed in quick succession and it was left to captain Brian Lara and Ricardo Powell to pick up the pieces, adding a further 91 during their fourth wicket stand.

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After skipper Brian Lara fell for 11, Powell proved an ideal companion, improvising brilliantly in an unbroken stand of 92 from just 8.3 overs and hitting two spectacular sixes in the last two overs.

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Just as they sought to master the language of the sea in the novels of Patrick O'Brian ( Obituary, January 15th), so they patiently deciphered the fantastic world of Mr Powell's England. (An American newspaper thoughtfully explained that he preferred to have his name pronounced to rhyme with Lowell.) Perhaps they took it seriously.

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