Themed clues as well.
ACROSS
1 Batting collapses at final in Edgbaston kept one engrossed (4,1,5,2) CAST A SPELL ON {COLLAPSES+AT}{e...oN}
8 Lead cut short by tea (4) CHAI CHAIr
9 Drives from bat showing positive energy, with runs in boundaries (10) WILLPOWERS {WILL{P}OW}{E}{RunS}
11 Point saved run easily being quick (6) PROMPT {P{ROMP}T}
12 Case of century (not out) certain to become object of admiration (8) CYNOSURE {Ce...rY}{NO}{SURE}
14 Utter pace getting a wicket (4) GATE (~gait)
16 Nearly bowl a maiden to end the innings (7) DISMISS {DISh}{MISS}
18 Hide in field remaining outside ring (7) LEATHER {LEA}{oTHER}
19 Grand century on return to tie (4) KNOT {TON}{K}<=
22 One out beaten in flight having hollow stance (8) ABSENTEE {BEATEN}* over {St..cE}
23 Top ball breaking off stump (6) UPMOST {UPM{O}ST*}
24 Deserve bye, throw being wild over fielder’s head (2,6,2) BE WORTHY OF {BYE+THROW}*}{O}{Fi...r}
26 Has a problem scoring right off the bat (1,1,1,1) ASAP [T]
27 Opening batting, tense except for power play (12) INTRODUCTION {IN}{T}{pRODUCTION}
DOWN
2 This game, bit sticky so to speak (2,2,5,2) AS IT MIGHT BE*
3 Love West Indies, during peak of their time that is (2,3) TO WIT {Time}{0}{WI}{That} Semi&lit
4 Shot clips base part of bat’s handle (6) SPLICE {CLIPS*}{E}
5 Unfurling late sweep, is rolling on (9) EXPANSION {EX}{PAN}{IS*}{ON}
6 Rule change to a mode of dismissal in the middle (3) LAW L(-b+a)AW
7 Bit tough chasing second (5) SHARD {S}{HARD}
10 Most remarkable attributes of spinner are standout (6) RAREST [T]
13 Mostly good team, semi-poor in the past (4,4,3) SOME TIME AGO {GOOd+TEAM+SEMI}*
15 Players on field in a difficult spot after dropping catch? (6-3) TWENTY-TWO {catch 22}
17 Line say close to edge of crease results in extra (3,3) LEG BYE {L}{EG}{BY}{c...sE}
20 Bye is merely bonus conceded occasionally (3,3) SEE YOU {iS+mErElY+bOnUs}
21 One big hit brings belief ... (5) ISLAM {1}{SLAM}
23 ... one about fellow not in good form (5) UNFIT {UN{F}IT}
25 Stumped perhaps by defeat with lead in excess (3) OUTrOUT
Reference List
Positive = P, Energy = E, Point = PT, Ring = O, Century = TON, Grand = K, Ball = O,
Over = O, Batting = IN, Tense = T, Power = P, Love = 0, Base = E, Late = EX, Second = S, Line = L, Fellow = F
1 Batting collapses at final in Edgbaston kept one engrossed (4,1,5,2) CAST A SPELL ON {COLLAPSES+AT}{
8 Lead cut short by tea (4) CHAI CHAI
9 Drives from bat showing positive energy, with runs in boundaries (10) WILLPOWERS {WILL{P}OW}{E}{R
11 Point saved run easily being quick (6) PROMPT {P{ROMP}T}
12 Case of century (not out) certain to become object of admiration (8) CYNOSURE {C
14 Utter pace getting a wicket (4) GATE (~gait)
16 Nearly bowl a maiden to end the innings (7) DISMISS {DIS
18 Hide in field remaining outside ring (7) LEATHER {LEA}{
19 Grand century on return to tie (4) KNOT {TON}{K}<=
22 One out beaten in flight having hollow stance (8) ABSENTEE {BEATEN}* over {S
23 Top ball breaking off stump (6) UPMOST {UPM{O}ST*}
24 Deserve bye, throw being wild over fielder’s head (2,6,2) BE WORTHY OF {BYE+THROW}*}{O}{F
26 Has a problem scoring right off the bat (1,1,1,1) ASAP [T]
27 Opening batting, tense except for power play (12) INTRODUCTION {IN}{T}{
DOWN
2 This game, bit sticky so to speak (2,2,5,2) AS IT MIGHT BE*
3 Love West Indies, during peak of their time that is (2,3) TO WIT {T
4 Shot clips base part of bat’s handle (6) SPLICE {CLIPS*}{E}
5 Unfurling late sweep, is rolling on (9) EXPANSION {EX}{PAN}{IS*}{ON}
6 Rule change to a mode of dismissal in the middle (3) LAW L(-b+a)AW
7 Bit tough chasing second (5) SHARD {S}{HARD}
10 Most remarkable attributes of spinner are standout (6) RAREST [T]
13 Mostly good team, semi-poor in the past (4,4,3) SOME TIME AGO {GOO
15 Players on field in a difficult spot after dropping catch? (6-3) TWENTY-TWO {
17 Line say close to edge of crease results in extra (3,3) LEG BYE {L}{EG}{BY}{
20 Bye is merely bonus conceded occasionally (3,3) SEE YOU {
21 One big hit brings belief ... (5) ISLAM {1}{SLAM}
23 ... one about fellow not in good form (5) UNFIT {UN{F}IT}
25 Stumped perhaps by defeat with lead in excess (3) OUT
Reference List
Positive = P, Energy = E, Point = PT, Ring = O, Century = TON, Grand = K, Ball = O,
Over = O, Batting = IN, Tense = T, Power = P, Love = 0, Base = E, Late = EX, Second = S, Line = L, Fellow = F
Excellent offering from Buzzer, weaving a theme in almost every clue. Fairly tough too
ReplyDeleteDidn’t get anno for 18 and 15
20D my COTD
8A is probably Chai(-n)
15D A reference to 'Catch 22' a novel by Joseph Heller
DeleteI am not a big cricket fan. But would like to know when can all the twenty two players be on the field
DeleteThe clue is excellent of course.
Not necessarily on the field at the same time- what is meant is the 2 teams of 11 players each.
DeleteIn IPL or some such high-end cricket match. don't the two teams meet on field before the game starts, face each other and then start walking in opposite directionsshaking hands?
DeleteYes Sir, accept that.
Deletewhy are we on cricket, hockey/football all have 22 players on field
DeleteBecause, there is a catch in the game, Prasad! Ha ha!
Deletefootball also has a catch!
DeleteWhile the discussion is on catches...Here is one!
DeleteA policeman catches a man with some weed in his pocket
"You're going to jail for all that marijuana in your pocket!" the policeman stated.
"But officer, this weed isn't mine. It keeps appearing in my pocket every time I flush it down the toilet." the man replied.
"Oh, really? This I gotta see. If you can prove it, you're free to go!" the policeman challenged.
The man takes all the marijuana out of his pocket and puts it in the toilet. He then pulls the handle and watches it go down the drain. Several minutes go by and nothing happens.
"Why hasn't the weed appeared back in your pocket?" the policeman asked.
"What weed?"
That is real drop of catch.
DeleteHa ha
What a drop!
DeleteNice one MB
Delete6DN Looking at the theme, it could be LBW. I felt the change is to A in law and not B in lbw
ReplyDeleteKKR nice see your debates with pady....
Delete4DN I think it is S[P]LICE
ReplyDeleteShot=slice; clips=containment ind.
P= base of part
def= bat's handle
How is P base part of bat's handle?
DeleteGoogle syas
DeleteAs the name suggests, the handle is where the bat is held by the player. The splice is an upside down triangle shaped piece of wood that joins together the handle and blade to increase strength of the bat. Finally, the blade is the part of the bat that is used to strike the ball.
If you would recall, base also means origin, core, heart besides bottom. It came up for discussion earlier [I think in The Phantom's grid]
DeleteFurther, you are picking E from base itself, right?
Deletee is from logarithmic base- not last letter of base.
Delete+1
Deleteshot (as anag ind) of "clips" is direct. to go looking for syn to shot and then mfg P seems long. anyway, my take, splice is not bat's handle per se. its a connecting part, of a bat's handle.
Delete+1 for ...splice is a connecting part...Shaped like elongated V.
DeleteHigh quality puzzle and I don't mind admitting I was found wanting time and again.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bhavan.
Catch 22 was great!
With this puzzle my THC journey comes to an end. Thanks everyone for all the feedback over the years.
ReplyDeleteOMG, how can you take such a decision, Bhavan? We will all be missing your entertaining puzzles. Please reconsider your decision. You have already reduced your offering from two to just one. Can you not find time to favour us with your grids?
DeletePlease do reconsider your decision.
Deletethink it has to do with new commercial NDAs, CV sir was mentioning some time ago.
DeleteThat's very sad to read. Hope you continue to set puzzles and we can solve in Sunday specials.
DeleteThis was a fitting swan song.
Thanks Buzzer for the entertainment over the years.
+1. Thanks Buzzer
DeleteNo Very sad to read.No reconsideration- on popular request?
ReplyDeleteAn exceptional crossword. Delightful cricket-related surfaces by a highly accomplished setter! Thanks a lot Bhavan.
ReplyDeleteBhavan,
ReplyDeleteWhat a coincidence today Cryptic in the Guardian:
President ultimately put away drink (4)
Note- it does not say Indian drink.
ReplyDeletecol.sir....26A.....ASAP we often used to denote As early As Possible.....I could not get the puzzle definition.
ReplyDeleteCol. has marked i in the main blog- right off the bat.
DeleteRight off the bat
Deletephrase of bat
At the very beginning; straight away.
ASAP = As Soon As Possible.
"I managed to have a disagreement with him right off the bat"
Origin is traced to baseball, "where the batter is expected to run as soon as the ball is (hit) right off the bat: so he can reach the first base safely"
DeleteDespite of all this puzzle makes me quiet tough. Thanks to Sree-sree and MB
DeleteI have really enjoyed by solving your puzzles. we will be grateful, if you could reconsider your decision.
ReplyDeleteLovely puzzle Bhavan, as always, and as I mentioned to you, nobody can say it ain't cricket! Sorry to see this will be your swansong, a great loss to THC and solvers. Have always considered you as the best setter in terms of technical perfection, interesting surfaces and consistency, while giving an interesting challenge. 24a a good tribute to you and other setters, just take the relevant part!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely delightful crossword - every clue a gem. Thanks for the entertainment Bhavan. Very sorry to hear that you are leaving the THC - hope we will still see your grids in other forums.
ReplyDeleteI thought 6d should be LBW, does the solution page say LAW? Both fit the grid of course
ReplyDeleteOne of the most brilliant puzzles. I also think 6Dn should be LBW.
ReplyDelete6D Rule change to a mode of dismissal in the middle (3)
ReplyDeleteI think it is LAW and not LBW. If it were to be LBW (i.e. def = mode of dismissal in the middle), then there no indication of how to change the A in LAW (rule) to B.
The clue says "change to a". I interpreted it as -> mode of dismissal = LBW, in the middle = B, change to a -> change B to A, def = Rule
Comments?
Can I not read tuhe clue as: Rule change to "a mode of dismissal" ...
DeleteGoing by the theme.
DeleteI go with Ramki's explanation.
DeleteI would like to know what the online version says
DeleteWe will have to wait for Prasad's clarification or tomorrow's print edition.
DeleteI do not have access to online version. I have only epaper subscription, not the crossword.thehindu.com.
DeleteI went with rule as def simply because the other def "mode of dismissal" was in the middle (of nowhere) with "in the middle". Change the middle of (mode of dismissal) to a was easy to read.
26A - how does "scoring" work as a tele-ind?
ReplyDeleteCollecting or gathering (runs)
DeleteIt means to successfully get hold of something. These days, the word is commonly used by people that could “score” some weed or marijuana from an unspecified source. The ones that smoke up will know :)
DeleteBeauty of it is that he has tried to use cricketing terms for various indicators- that may sound a little unconventional. But it goes well with the 'all cricket' theme.
ReplyDeleteIt's all in the game
DeleteA doubt: In a thematic puzzle is it not necessary that answers belong to the theme rather than clues?
ReplyDeleteUsually but sometimes all or most of the clues have theme related surfaces.
DeleteI love Bhavan's puzzles and my favourite.
ReplyDeletePity he has decided to retire.
Thanks all once again for your kind comments.
ReplyDeleteThis wasn't an easy decision to make, but to clarify - there was no compulsion or push or dissatisfaction about any of this. It was a voluntary decision on my part which the management at TH agreed to.
What I failed to mention yesterday was how grateful I am that I had this opportunity for so all these years. That is in no small part thanks to CV sir.