Sluggishly, batters alluding to victory’s close (9)

I believe the answer is:

languidly

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'victory's close' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adverbs. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'sluggishly batters alluding' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
an anagram of 'alluding' is 'languidl' which is within the answer.
A single letter 'y' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for languidly that I've seen is " In a weak or fatigued manner".)

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

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