Crossword Genius

Conversation starter that bloke will duck (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hello

'conversation starter' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'bloke will duck' is the wordplay.
'bloke will' becomes 'hell' ('he'll', contraction of 'he will').
'duck' becomes 'o' (resembles zero - 'duck' in cricket).
'hell'+'o'='HELLO'

'that' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for hello that I've seen before include "Common greeting as on phone" , "royals dominate its pages?" , "Routine response to telephone call" , "Conversation starter" , "Expression of greeting" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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