Crossword Genius

Ducks due to lofted shots by opening batter (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

blobs

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'ducks due' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'lofted shots by opening batter' is the wordplay.
'lofted shots' becomes 'lobs' (I've seen this in another clue).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'opening' says to take the initial letters.
The initial letter of 'batter' is 'b'.
'lobs' put after 'b' is 'BLOBS'.

'to' is the link.

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I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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