Strays right early in bowling spell (5)

I believe the answer is:

roves

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'strays' is the definition.
(I know this)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for roves that I've seen before include "Wanders far and wide" , "Travels about, hits the road (5)" .)

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

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