Crossword Genius

Non-playing member of a cricket family (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

grasshopper

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

'cricket family' is the definition.
'grasshopper' can be an answer for 'cricket' (thesaurus). I am not certain of the 'family' bit.

'non-playing member of a' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'playing' could be 'as' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'as' is found in the answer.
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is found within the answer.
'a' could be 'per' (eg 'one a day' means 'one per day') and 'per' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for grasshopper that I've seen before include "Insect (that won't stay still for long?)" , "Jumping insect" , "Excellent jumper" , "Chirping insect" , "six-footer with extra powerful legs" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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