Dismissed in contest, but not bowled (3)
I believe the answer is:
out
'dismissed' is the definition.
(dismissed in cricket)
'contest but not bowled' is the wordplay.
'contest' becomes 'bout' (I've seen this in another clue).
'but not' is a deletion indicator.
'bowled' becomes 'b' (cricket abbreviation).
'bout' with 'b' removed is 'OUT'.
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for out that I've seen before include "on sale" , "Dismissed, in cricket" , "On strike - dismissed - unconsciousout" , "A way to escape" , "Inaccurate - dismissed" .)