| GORDONGREENIDGE | Partner of Desmond Hayes in a very successful West Indies opening partnership |
| EDNA | Inebriate Woman played by Patricia Hayes in a 1971 BBC drama is essential to United Nations (4) |
| GREENIDGE | Gordon, West Indies opening batsman who played in 108 Tests from 1974-91 (9) |
| PRATIKA | Who shared the highest opening partnership in women's World Cup with Smriti Mandhana in the crucial encounter versus New Zealand in Navi Mumbai on October 23, 2025? (7) |
| ASNODKAR | Indian cricketer who formed a strong opening partnership with Graeme Smith for the Royals in their 2008 campaign |
| SMASHHIT | Informal term for a very successful film, show, song or performer (5,3) |
| AVENGER | A very successful manager heading off rival after defeat? (7) |
| HALO | Classic Video Game series -- a very successful multi-player, first-person shooter franchise |
| SWANSONG | Final appearance of Desmond, N in Sunset Boulevard (4,4) |
| NATWICK | Mildred --, sleuthing partner of Helen Hayes in the TV series 'The Snoop Sisters' (7) |
| YASHASVI | Player who smashed a 45-ball 67 and formed an 89-run opening partnership with Samson for Rajasthan Royals.(First Name) (8) |
| INGRAM | CD batsman figured record 428-run opening partnership with Jamie How 2009 (6) |
| ONTHECRESTOFAWAVE | At a very successful point |
| AHOY | Mainly greeting a very successful Olympian? |
| HILARIOUS | Like a very successful comedian |
| ERROR | "Night of ---", Desmond Bagley novel published posthumously (5) |
| WIDEST | Broadest humour you'll get out of Desmond |
| WAYNE | Mr Hayes in Corrie might be in decline, say (5) |
| ISAAC | Hayes in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |
| TRALEE | Where the Earl of Desmond sits |
