| STUMBLINGBLOCK | Impediment must be beginning to upset Lancashire's opener, batting with good defensive action |
| MADLING | I must be beginning to despair in sending old fruitcake |
| SINGLE | One run from Sussex opener batting with broken leg (6) |
| CLEANSHEET | Net shot, with Chelsea showing good defensive record (5,5) |
| PHD | Result of a good defensive effort? |
| RAIN | Resurgent Australian openers batting - what might stop them? (4) |
| BLOCKANDTACKLE | Lifting equipment requiring defensive actions |
| BLACKPOOLTOWER | Lancashire's highest landmark (9,5) |
| RINGABELL | Call girl's bottom must now be beginning to sound familiar (4,1,4) |
| TABLEOFCONTENTS | A new bottle of scent could be beginning to work (5,2,8) |
| HAIRDO | Bob may be beginning to rattle or roll in Idaho settlement |
| PSALMIST | David may be beginning to shake when held by fortune-teller |
| IRONMAIDEN | Press and media may be beginning to notice rock band (4,6) |
| ANGLER | He might employ a spinner with passion, bagging Lancashire's opener (6) |
| WORLD | Pledge to bag Lancashire's opener, as a great spinner (5) |
| GORMLESS | Stupid attempt to get runs, Lancashire's opener in a muddle |
| TACKLES | Gets to grips with; defensive actions in sport (7) |
| SLIPSHOD | Careless fielders keep dropping Lancashire's opener |
| LIDLESS | Lancashire's opener is lazy, small and uncapped (7) |
| ANNUAL | Woman beginning to upset a learner on a yearly basis (6) |
