Crossword Genius

Fielder sees large number of people reduced after interval (5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

third man

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'reduced after interval' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'fielder sees large number of people' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'number' could be 'third' (third is a kind of number) and 'third' is located in the answer.
'people' could be 'man' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'man' is found in the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for third man that I've seen before include "Cricket fielder - "The ___" (Orson Welles film)" , "Cricket fielding position (for a spy?)" , "Abel" , "Mystery spy" , "Harry Lime" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app