It's best to have new gear for a big match (8)
I believe the answer is:
greatest
'it's best' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'new gear for a big match' is the wordplay.
'new' indicates an anagram.
'for' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a big match' becomes 'test' (test match is a kind of match. I am not sure about the 'big' bit.).
'gear' anagrammed gives 'grea'.
'grea'+'test'='GREATEST'
'to have' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for greatest that I've seen before include "Highest in quality or in quantity" , "Unsurpassed" , "Unsurpassable" , "Best-ever" , "Biggest and best, like Muhammad Ali" .)