A batting performance to give heart to the best? (3,5)

I believe the answer is:

top score

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'a batting performance to' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't tell whether it can be defined by this definition.

'heart to the best?' is the wordplay.
'heart' becomes 'core' (synonyms).
'to' means one lot of letters go next to another (I've seen this in other clues).
'the best?' becomes 'tops' (I've seen this in another clue).
'core' after 'tops' is 'TOP SCORE'.

'give' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for top score that I've seen is " one hundred and eighty!".)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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