Rachael Haynes held firm as an unconvincing Australia claimed a seven-wicket World Cup win over West Indies at Wellington's Basin Reserve.

The victory maintains Australia's unbeaten run at the tournament, with Meg Lanning's team sitting alone on top of the standings.

Chasing a victory target of 132, Australia was struggling when it was 2-7, with Alyssa Healy (3) and Lanning (0) the early dismissals.

But Haynes, the leading run scorer at the tournament, ensured there would be no capitulation, steering Australia to victory with an unbeaten 83.

The day belonged to the bowlers, with Ellyse Perry and Ash Gardner both taking three wickets to blitz West Indies.

Perry was the early destroyer with the ball, claiming two wickets in her first over to finish with 3-22.

All-rounder Gardner then joined in with 3-25, her haul including the crucial dismissal of West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor.

With Darcie Brown rested, Lanning instead elected to use Perry with the wind.

Perry started with a pair of wides before swinging a beautifully pitched ball past Hayley Matthews (duck) and into the top of her off-stump.

Perry had Kycia Knight caught behind the next ball for a duck, and went on to claim the dangerous Deandra Dottin for 16 in a marathon eight-over stint from the scoreboard end.

World number one-ranked ODI bowler Jess Jonassen was restored to the Australian side along with Annabel Sutherland (for Brown) and Amanda-Jade Wellington, but it was Gardner who did the damage through the middle order.

Gardner, playing her second match back after catching COVID-19, tempted Shemaine Campbelle (20) into a rash shot and then bowled Chedean Nation (duck) to leave West Indies 5-70.

An unfortunate run out did not help West Indies, who were unable to build partnerships.

Taylor spent 39 overs at the crease but lost partner after partner on her way to 50, before Gardner trapped her in front in the 41st over.

Jonassen (2-18) took the last two wickets.

The small total should have been a cakewalk for the Australians, but they gave West Indies plenty of opportunity for a boilover.

Healy looked disgusted with herself after she was caught and bowled by Hayley Matthews in the second over.

Lanning followed Healy, advancing down the pitch only to edge Shamilia Connell to Matthews at slip.

Australia needed a steadying innings and it was provided by Haynes, although she survived two LBW reviews early in the innings and a run-out attempt, just before Perry fell for 10 driving off Chinelle Henry.

Haynes offered Taylor and Shakera Selman chances in the field that neither could take, as she combined with Beth Mooney (28 not out) for a 74-run stand as Australia reached its total three wickets down.

Australia's next assignment is India on Saturday at Auckland's Eden Park.

AAP