ANDREW FLINTOFF’S fireworks proved in vain as England crashed out of the NatWest Series with a seven-wicket defeat to West Indies at Lord’s.

West Indies slumped to a devastating six-wicket defeat at the hands of amateurs Ireland on the eve of the NatWest Triangular Series.

BRIAN LARA spared the West Indies’ blushes with a majestic century as the tourists limped to 242 all out against Ireland in Belfast.