Crossword Genius

Former cricketer? Another plays to cover first of Tests (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

atherton

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

'former cricketer?' is the definition.
'atherton' can be an answer for 'cricketer?' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'former' bit.

'another plays to cover first of tests' is the wordplay.
'plays' is an anagram indicator.
'to cover' is an insertion indicator.
'first of' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'tests' is 't'.
'another' is an anagram of 'aherton'.
'aherton' enclosing 't' is 'ATHERTON'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for atherton that I've seen before include "Ex-cricketer's" , "cricketer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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