CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1. Throw from bowler to batsman (5)

4. A factor in debt-collection (7)

8. One of rank perhaps (7)

9. A summer danger (5)

10. Wild life feature of modern estates (4)

11. Yet a firm may need one to expand (8) 13. We must top and tail these earthbound creatures! (4)

14. It weakens the spirt when trouble’s about (4) 16. Stopped sorting out retreads (8)

17. A real eye-sore (4)

20. The flighty take to them (5)

21. Admitted everybody had debts (7)

22. Possibly re-unite a train (7)

23. Not a subject needed by must schoolchildren! (5)

DOWN

1. Plane tree that yields a highly-polished product (6,7)

2. Coming from Texas, they have to be paid (5) 3. A joint pledge (4) 4. According to this animal the sailor is in favour (6) 5. Idleness in battle (8) 6. Country with an upcoming state (7)

7. Court verdict on Eve? (5,8)

12. Bins rust when explosive entrance goes awry (6,2)

13. Serious Eastern muddle (7)

15. Threaten males with one (6)

18. It gets wetter as it dries (5)

19. But it’s no aspersion on the score (4)