Crossword Genius

Recite fluently and smirk back at cricket side (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

reel off

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'recite fluently' is the definition.
'reel off' can be an answer for 'recite' (reeling off is a kind of reciting). I'm not sure about the 'fluently' bit.

'smirk back at cricket side' is the wordplay.
'smirk back' becomes 'reel' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'at' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'cricket side' becomes 'off'.
'reel'+'off'='REEL OFF'

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for reel off that I've seen before include "Announce with speed and fluency" , "Quickly pronounce" , "Recite by heart" , "Effortlessly recite" , "Speak very rapidly" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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