Crossword Genius

Takes a knock (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bats

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'takes' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'a knock' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'bts' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bats that I've seen before include "Hits" , "Very eccentric" , "Cuckoo" , "Bonkers (sl.)" , "Cricketers" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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