The Week 1140

[TioMateo]

1) Clobber I'd cast? Yes (9) E?D?S?A?T

2) Tricked someone, as Number 10 rarely did in the past? (6,1,4,3). Letters definite are P-L--- A -A-T -N- . The answer would appear to have to be PULLED A FAST ONE, but could someone please explain the allusion to "Number 10 in the past".

[aelmpvw]

1 ecdysiast

[Mamyalynne]

1 Ecdysiast

[Mamyalynne]

I wonder if 'Number 10' is a sporting reference?

[Calibax]

Is it perhaps related to clue number 10?

[TioMateo]

Given nobody is a able to identify an allusion to Number 10 and the pulling of a fast one in the past, I am left with the disappointing conclusion that this is a "clue wishing to convey an element of political comment", with Number 10 obviously referring to the Government of the day, and the fast one - presumably - referring to the setter's perception of Mrs May's "Chequers Deal". Whether or not solvers agree with this perceived sentiment is irrelevant to the breach of "political neutrality" that I would expect from all setters. Does anybody else have a different view on this?

[elliemay1]

Someone has suggested that it is referring to a cricket term

[Mamyalynne]

I too have just seen that reference, Number 10 Batsmen rarely 'pulled' fast bowlers.

[aelmpvw]

^ makes sense but the 'in the past?' part of the clue seems superfluous

[klazomaniac]

Calibax and others.

10a is SOFT SOAP (Flattery frequently seen in Southern TV programme)

I still can't see it. Maybe someone else might.

[Captain2]

Think you're all right with the cricket reference.
'In the past' Numbers 9,10 and 11 were referred to as 'rabbits' for their lack of batting skills ie they were bowlers only.
In today's game everybody is expected to be a batsman/bowler or bowler/batsman so a No 10 is now more likely to play a pull shot against a fast bowler.