Crossword Genius

The runs -- sickness to do with raised temperature (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

thermal

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'do with raised temperature' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'the runs sickness' is the wordplay.
'runs' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'sickness' becomes 'mal' (I've seen this before).
'the'+'r'+'mal'='THERMAL'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for thermal that I've seen before include "Warm or hot, say air or spring" , "A lot of hot air" , "Rising current of warm air" , "Concerned with high temperature" , "Up-current of air" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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