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Game where striker put on trial (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

testmatch

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'game' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'striker put on trial' is the wordplay.
'striker' becomes 'match' (a match can be struck).
'put on' says to put letters next to each other (some letters go on or after others).
'trial' becomes 'test' (synonyms).
'match' put after 'test' is 'TESTMATCH'.

'where' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for testmatch that I've seen before include "sporting tie" , "International" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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