Crossword Genius

Cricketer who’ll start with a half of beer (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

opener

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

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

'who'll start with a half of beer' is the wordplay.
'who'll start' becomes 'op' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'a half of' suggests halving the letters.
'beer' becomes 'pilsener' (pilsener is a kind of beer).
'pilsener' with half the letters taken is 'ener'.
'op'+'ener'='OPENER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for opener that I've seen before include "Key -- one of two batsman in a side" , "man, first at the crease?" , "Kitchen item" , "Corkscrew, for example" , "It may provide access to food" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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