FLORENCE HALL, Trelawny — West Indies Women lost by five runs to their England counterparts at Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium yesterday in the low-scoring but tense opening encounter of the five-match One-Day International series.

West Indies could only manage 144 in reply to England’s modest 149 after the visitors opted to bat first in sunny conditions.

Danielle Wyatt won the player of the match award after her free-scoring 44 propped up England’s middle and lower order.

However, the contribution of Katherine Brunt was equally important. The English pacer snared 3-24, which included the prized scalp of West Indies top-scorer Deandra Dottin (27) and the wickets of tail-enders Shamilia Connell and debutante Erva Giddings.

Scores: England 149 (49.1 overs); West Indies 144 (44.2 overs).

Earlier, England’s opening pair of Lauren Winfield (24) and Tammy Beaumont (eight) added 32 runs on a batting surface that appeared low and sluggish.

But after Beaumont (eight) spooned a catch to Shemaine Campbell at cover off the bowling of medium pacer Dottin, wickets fell regularly.

Dottin outfoxed and bowled Georgia Elwiss for three. England Captain Heather Knight went for zero when she was caught by wicketkeeper Merissa Aguilleira, also off Dottin.

Winfield was sent back for 24 as the hosts tore through the top order to leave England on 49-4.

But number six batter Wyatt and Amy Jones (20) added 45 runs for the sixth wicket to help lift England to their eventual score. Dottin took 3-21 off five overs.

In their run chase, West Indies could have hardly asked for a better start.

Hayley Matthews, the 18-year-old prodigy who played a star role when West Indies captured the World Twenty20 title in India earlier this year, and her opening partner Shaquana Quintyne shared in a stand of 53 runs.

Matthews went for 26 when she was caught at mid-off by Elwiss off slow left-arm orthodox bowler Sophie Ecclestone. Quintyne was bowled by Ecclestone six runs later for 25.

Merissa Aguilleira (five), Britney Cooper (one) and Dottin also fell as West Indies lost direction.

Captain and hometown heroine Stafanie Taylor, who went off the field for treatment to her leg during her knock, returned, but could only manage nine, before being trapped leg before wicket by another left-arm finger spinner Alex Hartley. That left West Indies on 100-6.

Shemaine Campbell sought to rescue the West Indies with a smartly compiled 24 not out, but Brunt had the last say, trapping both Connell and Giddings leg before wicket to give England the 1-0 lead in the series.

The teams next meet at the same venue tomorrow, before completing the series with three games at Sabina Park in Kingston, starting on Friday.

The last three games will count towards the ICC Women’s Championship contested between the top eight international sides, which will lead to automatic qualification for the top four teams to next year’s ICC Women’s World Cup.

West Indies Women are currently second in the standings on 20 points — 10 behind current ODI World champions Australia — and just one ahead of England.