Sport in Short: Cricket

WESTERN AUSTRALIA began their defence of the Sheffield Shield with a 50-run win over Queensland in Brisbane yesterday. Terry Alderman, who in Queensland's first innings became the second highest wicket-taker in the competition's history, took 4 for 55 as the visitors were all out for 283 after resuming at 69 for one.

SHEFFIELD SHIELD (Brisbane, final day of four): Western Australia 370 and 184. Queensland 221 and 283 (M Hayden 63, A Border 53; T Alderman 4-55). Western Australia won by 50 runs.

SOUTH AFRICAN CASTLE CUP (second day of four) East London: Orange Free State 422 for 9 dec (L Wilkinson 115, H Cronje 88, C van Zyl 81); Border 79 for 3. Port Elizabeth: Eastern Province 119 and 55 for 1; Natal 418 (A Hudson 100, N Wright 88, J Rhodes 85). Verwoerdburg: Northern Transvaal 126 and 151 for 6; Transvaal 219 (M Yachad 91, D Cullinan 61; F de Villiers 4-49).

TOUR MATCH (Harare, one day): Zimbabwe Country Districts 207 for 9 (50 overs); New Zealand 208 for 4 (47.5 overs). New Zealand won by six wickets.

DAVID ARCHER, the West Indian umpire, died yesterday in Bridgetown aged 61. Archer officiated in 28 tests in the Caribbean between 1981 and the inaugural Test between the West Indies and South Africa last April. He also officiated in the county championship in 1982 and at the 1987 World Cup in India and Pakistan.