Paid player said to keep runs down (10)

I believe the answer is:

prostrated

'down' is the definition.

'paid player said to keep runs' is the wordplay.
'paid player' becomes 'pro'.
'said' becomes 'stated' ('state' can be a synonym of 'say').
'to keep' is an insertion indicator.
'runs' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'stated' enclosing 'r' is 'strated'.
'pro'+'strated'='PROSTRATED'

(Another definition for prostrated that I've seen is " laid down in submission".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app