Crossword Genius

Detest bowler, say, opening for Essex (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hate

'detest' is the definition.
('hate' can be a synonym of 'detest')

'bowler say opening for essex' is the wordplay.
'bowler say' becomes 'hat' (bowler is a kind of hat**).
'opening for' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'essex' is 'e'.
'hat'+'e'='HATE'

(Other definitions for hate that I've seen before include "Antipathy" , "Despise" , "Intense dislike" , "Strong aversion" , "Abhor" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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