Fails to count ducks — around ninety (8)
I believe the answer is:
excludes
'fails to count' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'ducks around ninety' is the wordplay.
'ducks' becomes 'eludes' ('elude' can be a synonym of 'duck').
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'ninety' becomes 'XC' (Roman numerals).
'eludes' enclosing 'xc' is 'EXCLUDES'.
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in The Times.
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