Crossword Genius

Prior to run, draw level (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tier

'level' is the definition.
(I know that level can be written as tier)

'prior to run draw' is the wordplay.
'prior to' says to put letters next to each other.
'run' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'draw' becomes 'tie' (synonyms).
'r' put after 'tie' is 'TIER'.

(Other definitions for tier that I've seen before include "Layer, rank" , "Wedding cake feature" , "Row, layer" , "Level of a structure" , "I might draw" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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