Crossword Genius

Severely criticise second strike (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

slam

'severely criticise' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'second strike' is the wordplay.
'second' becomes 's' (common abbreviation).
'strike' becomes 'lam' (to 'lam' means to hit hard**).
's'+'lam'='SLAM'

(Other definitions for slam that I've seen before include "big contract" , "Shut (door) with force" , "Close noisily" , "Taking of twelve or thirteen tricks (bridge)" , "Winning of 12 or 13 tricks at bridge" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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