Help explain a British cryptic answer

The Game Room
1

As I’ve mentioned before, I have been doing cryptic crosswords from the London Times. I find them very difficult, but I like a challenge. As an American, I’m at a disadvantage because those puzzles make tremendous use of British terms I have no clue about.

Quite often it happens that I don’t understand how the answer works even when I look up the solution.

Here is one case from a recent puzzle:

Poor batsman repeatedly encouraged to run by singers (6)

Answer: RABBIT

After some searching, I discovered that “rabbit” is a British slang term for a poor batsman in cricket. So that explains that part. I don’t get the rest. If anyone could explain it I’d appreciate it

2

This should clear it up:

Run, Rabbit, Run - Wikipedia

3

Run rabbit run is an old song.

Run, Rabbit, Run - Wikipedia

4

Ninja’d :astonished:

5

ya gotta be quick :grinning_face:

6

Also - in cricket, ‘bowling a maiden over’ does not mean knocking a female down. :face_with_monocle:

7

Things you learn by following links provided in the Dope:

“Run, rabbit, run” is a lyric in the Pink Floyd song “Breathe”, possibly reflection of Roger Waters’ anti-war sentiments.

Now I understand that part of the song better. :slight_smile: Thanks to the ninja’er and the ninja’ed!

8

Inspired by this thread, I made up a cryptic clue. :sunglasses:

Cricket-loving gang enforcer’s technique (3, 5)

Leg break is both a type of cricket play and a nasty threat…

9

Wow, thanks everyone! I’ve never heard of that song, so there’s no way in a million years I’d get it.

10

I’m English and have (very) casually followed cricket for decades and I’ve never even heard of that.

11

I know about it because of a joke somebody made that a a particularly poor batsman was a ferret because “he went in after the rabbits”

12

If an Englishman finds some of these terms obscure, then I as an American have no hope. Still, I keep trying!

13

Exactly the same here !

14

How about this one:

Young salmon, the one that survived!

Parr
which is the definition of a young salmon (new to me) and I think the cryptic part has to do with Henry Viii

15

From Australia. A rabbit is a batsman who is frequently dismissed by the same bowler. He is then referred to as XXX’s rabbit. Referenced in Paul Kelly’s song Bradman .

16

Yes Catherine Parr was the last wife and widow of King Henry VIII.

The one who survived him.