ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC):

World-class all-rounder Stafanie Taylor proved her worth in gold to fire West Indies Women to an all important eight-wicket win over South Africa Women and keep the hosts alive in the five-match one-day series yesterday.

Playing at Windsor Park, the 21-year-old Jamaican snatched four for 22 with her off spin to help limit South Africa to 120 all out off 47.1 overs and then returned to stroke a superb 71 to guide West Indies to their target off 29.2 overs.

The victory was a crucial one for West Indies who had lost the double-header in St Kitts earlier in the week and needed a positive result to avoid losing the series with two matches to spare. South Africa now lead the series 2-1.

Sent in to bat, South Africa were never up to the task and only captain Mignon de Preez with 20 showed any enterprise. Taylor was supported by teenage leg-spinner Shaquana Quintyne, who bowled brilliantly to finish with four for 14.

The fourth ODI is scheduled for today at the same venue.

• Windwards win

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Windward Islands defeated Leeward Islands by 10 runs in the 12th game of the Caribbean Twenty20 at Queen's Park Oval yesterday.

Scores: WINDWARDS 111 for eight off 20 overs (Miles Bascombe 29, Andre Fletcher 24; Chesney Hughes 2-8, Anthony Martin 2-19, Gavin Tonge 21). LEEWARDS 101 for nine off 20 overs (Justin Athanaze 24, Devon Thomas 20; Liam Sebastien 4-17, Delorn Johnson 2-18).