Non-striker may be bowling initially -- need support (8)
I believe the answer is:
blackleg
'non-striker' is the definition.
(worker refusing to join a strike)
'bowling initially need support' is the wordplay.
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
'need' becomes 'lack' (to lack something is to be in need of it).
'support' becomes 'leg' (leg is a kind of support).
The initial letter of 'bowling' is 'b'.
'b'+'lack'+'leg'='BLACKLEG'
'may be' is the link.
(Other definitions for blackleg that I've seen before include "Scab, strikebreaker" , "Person who works while others are on strike, having dark limb" , "Strikebreaker - disease of farm animals" , "one not out, controversially" , "One who breaks a strike by working" .)