Scope rather restricts maiden (5)
I believe the answer is:
ambit
'scope' is the definition.
('ambit' can be a synonym of 'scope')
'rather restricts maiden' is the wordplay.
'rather' becomes 'abit' (I've seen this before).
'restricts' is an insertion indicator.
'maiden' becomes 'm' (cricket abbreviation).
'abit' placed around 'm' is 'AMBIT'.
(Other definitions for ambit that I've seen before include "Range, scope" , "Compass, scope" , "Circumference" , "Scope or confines" , "Circuit, compass" .)