Tries out (5)
I believe the answer is:
tests
'tries out' is the definition.
('test' can be a synonym of 'try out')
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for tests that I've seen before include "Trials for cricketers" , "Trials to see if something works" , "Trials -- tribulations" , "Major cricket matches" , "Trials, exams" .)