Considering a pool with English cartel (9)

I believe the answer is:

pondering

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'considering' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to thinking as well as being present participle verbs.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'a pool with english cartel' is the wordplay.
'a pool' becomes 'pond' ('pond' can be a synonym of 'pool').
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'cartel' becomes 'ring' (both can mean a criminal group).
'pond'+'e'+'ring'='PONDERING'

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I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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