A captain’s knock of 95 from Meg Lanning lifted Australia to a nervy opening win in the women’s one-day international series against West Indies at Hurstville Oval.

Australia, fresh from a cleansweep of the recent four-match Twenty20 series, maintained their stranglehold over the visitors with a three-wicket win despite a stumbling conclusion to their run chase.

Two century partnerships set up the victory for Australia but the loss of five quick wickets made for some late anxiety before they finally reached the target of 241 after a wide.

Lanning and Nicole Bolton (59) put on an even 100 for the second wicket, before the skipper combined with Ellyse Perry (53) in a 105-run stand.

It was the first meeting between the pair since Australia won last year’s ICC Women’s World Cup in India, and the victory gives the Southern Stars a slim lead over their rivals in the newly-established world ranking.

“It got pretty close at the end, but I thought we had the game in our control throughout our innings,” said Lanning.

“I was a little bit nervous watching after I got out, but I always felt we would get there in the end.”

Earlier, the West Indies were limited to 8-240 after they had been cruising at 1-126 just past the midway point of the innings, but Australia claimed a steady flow of wickets to help stem the run-rate.

West Indies No.3 Stafanie Taylor top-scored with 95, putting on 109 for the second wicket with opener Hayley Matthews (55).

With Taylor’s dismissal at 3-201, the visitors lost 6-39 at the end of the innings.

Erin Osborne claimed the best figures for Australia with 3-43 off her 10 overs.