Crossword Genius

Criticism for decent chap leading strike (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

brickbat

'criticism' is the definition.
(brickbat is a kind of criticism)

'decent chap leading strike' is the wordplay.
'decent chap' becomes 'brick' (I've seen this in other clues).
'leading' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'strike' becomes 'bat'.
'brick'+'bat'='BRICKBAT'

'for' is the link.

(Other definitions for brickbat that I've seen before include "Building block used as missile" , "Hostile criticism - missile" , "(Critic's) weapon" , "An uncomplimentary remark, or kind of missile" , "Piece of blunt criticism" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Telegraph.
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