Pathetic sailor caught in a stream (6)
I believe the answer is:
abject
'pathetic' is the definition.
(abject means pathetic or wretched)
'sailor caught in a stream' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'caught' becomes 'c' (cricket abbreviation).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'a stream' becomes 'jet'.
'c' inserted within 'jet' is 'ject'.
'ab'+'ject'='ABJECT'
(Other definitions for abject that I've seen before include "Mean, wretched" , "This apology shows humility" , "Completely without pride" , "Completely without dignity" , "Cowering and obsequious" .)