| RIGHTLY | One side ahead of the other shortly before close of play, as it should be |
| ONTRIAL | Cricket side, ahead of test, being judged (2,5) |
| ETAL | As well as others, shortly turned up deceased (2,2) |
| LOONYBIN | Throw in "on close of play" as filling - it's bedlam (5,3) |
| SATED | Full sandwich plate, sides ahead of dinner (5) |
| OFFALY | In cricket side, get a half-century before close of play for county (6) |
| SUPERBLY | US final wise one abandoned -- left before close of play commendably (8) |
| NOTIFY | If in no end of doubt before close of play, declare! (6) |
| EQUITY | Fair play from English, somewhat reduced before close of play (6) |
| ANTIPATHY | Feeling of intense dislike against Patrick and Henry before close of play (9) |
| PACKAGEHOLIDAY | Forwards had goalie floundering before close of play - it's all in (7,7) |
| IRONCURTAIN | What divided European sides appears in press before close of play |
| TWENTY | Little time left before close of play to produce score (6) |
| NIGHTWATCHMAN | Relatively inexpert batsman sent in to bat before close of play (5-8) |
| MONTY | Don Bradman finally caught in annual Test before close of play (5) |
| TESTY | Before close of play, big match is liable to boil over |
| CHURCHY | Pious companions hold up game before close of play (7) |
| SHIFTY | Devious move before close of play (6) |
| NOTEDLY | Remarkably, central donors extend deadline before close of play (7) |
| FORTY | Before close of play, keep score twice? (5) |
