PAARL, South Africa (CMC):

Teenage opener Stafanie Taylor stroked a maiden one-day international century to propel West Indies to a convincing five-wicket win over South Africa in their opening clash of the four-match series yesterday.

The right-hander carved out an attractive, unbeaten 108 as the tourists, chasing 182 for victory, cruised to victory in 41.3 overs at Boland Bank Park.

Batting first after being sent in, South Africa were lifted to 181 for seven, thanks to a third-wicket stand of 61 between top scorer Cri-zelda Brits and Mignon du Preez.

Brits stroked 48 from 83 balls with three fours, while du Preez got 25, as they steered their side out of discomfort after they had been reduced to 51 for two in the 13th over.

Opener Trisha Chetty gave South Africa a solid start, stroking an enterprising 25 from 23 balls with four fours, in posting 36 with Kirstie Thomson who hit a patient 17.

When Chetty was run out in the ninth over, Thomson followed her 15 runs later in similar fashion as the Proteas lost momentum. But Brits and du Preez steadied the ship well though they found quick scoring against the miserly Windies bowlers.

West Indies struck twice, however, removing both batsmen in the space of 27 balls with 11 runs added to send South Africa tumbling to 123 for four in the 28th over.

It was then left up to Alicia Smith (25) and Shandre Fritz, who hit four fours in scoring 21 from 29 balls, to rally the lower order.

Chasing a moderate target, Taylor tore into the hosts' attack sharing 56 for the first wicket with Amanda Samaroo (16) to get the Windies away safely.

Superb run chase

The Jamaican Taylor slammed 11 fours and two sixes in her knock, as she anchored her side's run chase superbly to carry the Windies to their target.

Cordel Jack (11) and Pamela Lavine (1) fell in quick succession within the space of nine balls with just 11 runs added as the Windies stumbled at 91 for three in the 24th over, but Taylor and Stacey-Ann King put on a further 39 to put their side back on course.

King struck a four and a six in 16 in a solid innings before falling to off-spinner Sunette Loubser (2-39).

Chadene Nation failed with four, but Deandra Dottin scored 14 from 13 balls in an unbroken, 35-run sixth-wicket partnership with Taylor to see West Indies home.

West Indies and South Africa meet in the second ODI tomorrow at Newlands.