Put on runs before dismissal brought utter drubbing (4)
I believe the answer is:
rout
'drubbing' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'put on runs before dismissal brought utter' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'runs' could be 'r' (cricket abbreviation) and 'r' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'out' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rout that I've seen before include "Total(ly) defeat" , "Defeat utterly" , "Put to flight in disarray" , "Whitewash" , "Completely defeat" .)