Bowling spell expected to be late (7)
I believe the answer is:
overdue
'late' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'bowling spell expected' is the wordplay.
'bowling spell' becomes 'over' (cricket term).
'expected' becomes 'due' (similar in meaning).
'over'+'due'='OVERDUE'
'to be' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for overdue that I've seen before include "Past the appointed date for payment" , "Later than the appointed time, as for bill payment" , "Late for payment" , "unsettled" , "Of payment, past the required date" .)