Pearson (right) decimated the middle-order in a superb display

England took complete control of the final and deciding Test with a dominant performance on the opening day at Taunton.

Opening bowler Lucy Pearson grabbed four wickets and rookie off-spinner Helen Wardlaw three as the visitors were skittled within 52 overs.

And Claire Taylor, fresh from two half-centuries in England's winning NatWest Series campaign, scored an unbeaten 78 as the hosts established a 69-run lead.

South Africa's decision to bat first was dealt two early blows when openers Josephine Barnard and Johmari Logtenberg both fell for single-figure scores.

South Africa were 33-3 when skipper Alison Hodgkinson fell to Laura Newton for one, but keeper Daleen Terblanche was scoring freely at the other end.

She struck eight boundarie en route to 41 off 79 balls before Rosalie Birch had her caught.

Though Charlize van der Westhuizen carried on in similar vein, South Africa's middle-order was exposed and it was Pearson who exploited it.

The left-armer, who returned figures of 4-25, was the chief architect as four wickets fell for just two runs.

Alicia Smith responded with a rapid 24 not out, but she ran out of partners and Wardlaw ripped through the tail to return 3-35.

England's response suffered an early check when Newton was caught and bowled by Cri-Zelda Brits for five.

Charlotte Edwards fell soon after for 37, and England were 107-3 when captain Clare Connor was caught for a brisk 24 off the bowling of Leighshe Jacobs.

But the rest of the day belonged to England as Taylor, who hit 14 fours, and teenager Lydia Greenway (37 not out) put on 82 unbroken runs.

The winner of this Test will claim the series after the first Test was drawn.

England: RA Birch, CJ Connor, CM Edwards, L Greenway, IT Guha, LK Newton, LC Pearson, J Smit, CE Taylor, SC Taylor, H Wardlaw.