Careless fielders at cover dropping ball (8)

I believe the answer is:

slipshod

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'careless' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'fielders at cover dropping ball' is the wordplay.
'fielders' becomes 'slips' (cricket term).
'at cover' becomes 'hd' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'dropping' indicates putting letters inside.
'ball' becomes 'o' (O looks like a ball).
'hd' enclosing 'o' is 'hod'.
'slips'+'hod'='SLIPSHOD'

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(Other definitions for slipshod that I've seen before include "Loose" , "Careless, slovenly" , "Haphazard, slapdash" , "Inattentive" , "Carelessly done" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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