West Indies all-rounder Stefanie Taylor will be looking for a big birthday gift today when the International Cricket Council's Women's World Twenty20 Championship bowls off.

The right-handed opener, who also bowls clever off-spin, will be celebrating her 18th birthday as the Windies face South Africa at the Somerset County Ground, Taunton, in the first match of this major international tournament.

First ball is at noon (6 a.m. Jamaica time) and Taylor is anxious to take the field.

"When I first heard that the tournament would be played in June, I was hoping that somehow I would be able to play a match on my birthday. Now it is about to happen and I'm really excited and looking forward to this match," said the Jamaican high school student.

"I would love to have a big birthday. At the moment I am batting well and hitting the ball with power. In the bowling department I would say I am up to scratch and I will again be looking to get the ball in the right areas."

Taylor's highest score in a T20 International is 90 made against Ireland last year and she will be looking to top that when she faces the South African bowlers.

"My aim is to better the 90 I made last year. That would be a great birthday gift for me and it would be great to perform and lead the team to a victory," she said.

The Caribbean girls are aiming to better their World Cup showing in Australia in March, when they placed fifth with a record of two wins against five defeats.

One of the West Indies victories in the World Cup came against the South Africans, who are eager to avenge that loss.

Tournament

"We messed up big time there and went down to West Indies. I think it was nervousness. It's good that this tournament has come along quickly, so we can get over it. We had fun in our warm-ups and I want us to keep that going," South Africa's captain, Sunette Loubser said.

"In the World Cup, we tensed up so much and we just weren't ourselves," she added.

South Africa finished seventh at the World Cup.

This is the first World Twenty20 for women and the West Indies have been drawn in Group A alongside Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The other group is made up of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and World Cup champions England.