No first innings cuts (5)

I believe the answer is:

nocks

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

'innings cuts' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'no first' is the wordplay.
'first' becomes 'cks' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'no'+'cks'='NOCKS'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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