Opens up to get extra points (6)
I believe the answer is:
widens
'opens up' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'get extra points' is the wordplay.
'get' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'extra' becomes 'wide' (cricket term).
'points' becomes 'Ns' (N is an example).
'wide' next to 'ns' is 'WIDENS'.
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for widens that I've seen before include "Expands" , "Gets broader" , "Dilates" .)