Crossword Genius

Ball's carried for English playmaker (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

osborne

'english playmaker' is the definition.
(playwright John Osborne)

'ball's carried' is the wordplay.
'ball's' becomes 'os'.
'carried' becomes 'borne' (I've seen this before).
'os'+'borne'='OSBORNE'

'for' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for osborne that I've seen before include "Q. Victoria's IOW home" , "Look Back in Anger writer" , "grand island house" , "Queen Victoria's IOW house" , "13 across's IOW house" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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