Crossword Genius

Spell of maidens during match (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

time

'spell' is the definition.
(spell can mean a period of time)

'maidens during match' is the wordplay.
'maidens' becomes 'm' (cricket abbreviation).
'during' indicates putting letters inside.
'match' becomes 'tie' (tie can mean a sporting fixture).
'm' placed inside 'tie' is 'TIME'.

'of' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for time that I've seen before include "Duration; tempo" , "Speech to close pub" , "Tempo; occasion" , "The father of Truth, presumably" , "Bird" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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