Acknowledging crowd’s applause after receiving 50 deliveries? (7)

I believe the answer is:

bowling

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'acknowledging' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are present participle verbs, I can't understand how one could define the other.

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bowling that I've seen before include "getting out" , "Sport" , "making a delivery" , "Game" , "-- Alley; -- green" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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