Stafanie Taylor stars in Windies win

Taylor struck 75 from 53 balls, which formed the backbone of the visitors’ 139/4 after they chose to bat first in Dublin.

That proved far too many for the home side, who could only muster 75 all out in 18.4 overs in reply.

West Indies, fourth in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I rankings, made a steady-if-unspectacular start in reaching in 52/1 after 10 overs, with Kim Garth and Celeste Raack bowling economically for Ireland.

By then Taylor had got her eye in, though, and she stroked the ball to all parts in the closing overs, hitting 11 fours and a six.

Ireland youngsters Louise Little and Lara Maritz were given particularly harsh punishment, the former’s two overs costing 21 on her T20I debut and the latter’s four yielding 43. Taylor was finally bowled by the returning Raack with nine balls remaining.

Ireland’s innings never got going in reply as they slipped to 43/5 after 12.1 overs; Shamilia Connell's early breakthrough was complemented by Afy Fletcher running out Mary Waldron, before Chinelle Henry snared Shauna Kavanagh and Una Raymond-Hoey.

Ireland's sole resistance came from Kim Garth, who produced a career-best 46 off 55 balls, but none of the other batters reached double figures.

West Indies leg-spinner Fletcher took 4/14 from 3.4 overs, running through the tail before dismissing Garth to finish the match, with Ireland’s skipper Laura Delany unable to bat due to an injury.

The home side will look to bounce back in the second match on Tuesday, with the series set to conclude the following day.