Side lost two to mystery spin bowling (8)

I believe the answer is:

ninepins

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'bowling' is the definition.
(ninepins is a kind of bowling)

'side lost two to mystery spin' is the wordplay.
'side lost two' becomes 'nine' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'to mystery' is an anagram indicator.
'spin' with letters rearranged gives 'pins'.
'nine'+'pins'='NINEPINS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ninepins that I've seen before include "Skittles, IX objects to be knocked down" , "Bowling game" , "Form of skittles" , "Bowling targets" , "Skittles (IX, not V)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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