How do I solve 15 across in Times Cryptic 29542?

Question

Accepted Answer

15 across reads "Inferior cricketer leaves B&B with a side" (5 letters); the answer is RAITA. It's a deletion clue: start with a word the clue points to, then drop one or more letters. Indicators include 'endlessly' (lose the last letter), 'beheaded' (lose the first), or 'heartlessly' (lose the middle). The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

Inferior cricketer leaves B&B with a side (5)

15A — Inferior cricketer leaves B&B with a side (5) — RAITA