Brian Lara has failed against Irish bowlers for the third time in as many innings, with off-spinner Kyle McCallan bowling the master batsman for nought at Edgbaston yesterday.

But England opener Nick Knight compensated for the great West Indian by making a superb 143 not out as Warwickshire reached 302 for five against Ireland on the first day of a rain-affected NatWest trophy tie.

Lara's second spell in Birmingham has not come anywhere near to matching his prolific season in 1994 but a lack of confidence has never been one of his obvious weakness.

For five deliveries before tea, he was watchful but immediately after the break he tried a shot that would have been described as "typical Lara" had he connected.

But he didn't, giving disgruntled Warwickshire members further cause to believe the club has wasted a reported £100,000 on resigning the Trinidadian.

McCallan's delight got slightly the better of his surprise as Lara's stumps clattered, putting him in the company of Conor Hoey and Neil Doak as the Irish bowlers to dismiss Lara and keep him to an aggregate of 13 runs for an average of 4.33 against Ireland.

McCallan, who also had opener Neil Smith caught by Angus Dunlop , was the pick of the attack with two for 45. He then strapped on his pads to survive a nervy 11 overs with Ed Joyce as Ireland closed on 16 without loss.

While Peter Gillespie collected two wickets and Derek Heasley ended a splendid fifth-wicket stand of 107 in the penultimate over, Ireland will probably regret not playing Matt Dwyer. The veteran left-arm spinner from The Hills must wait at least one more season for a chance to continue Lara's record of failure against Ireland.