A little tougher than usual from Quixote, I thought. Solving time, 28 mins
* = anagram
ACROSS
1 W EST B ENGAL (wangle)* est = established B = British
8 L EARNER L = pounds
9 L OVERS Cricket knowledge and maths needed here. 6 balls in a over of bowling. So 300 balls = 50 overs L = 50 in Roman numerals.
10 MONTPELIER (me Interpol)* Capital of Vermont, US State
11 O VA L A London Underground station near the cricket ground of that name.
13 RENO W N first letters
14 T (1 MB) ALES
17 S IBERIAN
19 DR AC HM (Her Majesty)
22 D (E) AD
23 REL (AX) ATION
25 SH RILL
26 B (R) OUGHT last letter of dishonour
27 PRE-TENDERS
DOWN
1 WIND POWER
2 SO RELY
3 BULLET IN
4 NAVY Hidden reversal
5 A R RIVAL
6 GLAMORISED (dismal ogre)*
7 T (ANN) IN Ann in tin (can)
12 LAST-MINUTE keep going = last baby = minute i.e. small
15 BAR BAR (O U) S
16 M (AGE L L) AN Isle of Man
18 B LATHER
20 C (RING) E
21 MA (RB) LE
24 DIET Double definition
Even with the explanation, I’m still a bit lost on 9 across. What is the definition ? How can “an item” = lovers ?
Just realized. Of course, a couple is said to be an item.
Yes, that’s it, NealH. Slang of fairly recent times.