Cricketer's ability contagious (8)
I believe the answer is:
catching
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'cricketer's ability' is the first definition.
(catching the ball)
'contagious' is the second definition.
(synonyms)
(Other definitions for catching that I've seen before include "Seizing" , "Snaring" , "Attractive - infectious" , "Contagious" , "getting infectious" .)