We call in at an ancient Iraqi city in our tour of the best of the broadsheet cryptics. Plus: how you clued ‘Malibu’
In the sample clues below, the links take you to explainers from our beginners’ series. The setter’s name often links to an interview with him or her, in case you feel like getting to know these people better.
26ac Cyclist of note about to sell his pants (4,9)
[ wordplay: type of currency (‘note’) + abbrev for ‘circa’ (‘about’) + synonym for ‘to sell’ + anagram (‘pants’ as adjective) of HIS ]
[ MARK + CA + VEND + ISH ]
[ definition: cyclist ]
11acBoris eviscerated by his lot after verysad excuses (3,7)
[ wordplay: first & last letters (‘eviscerated’) of BORIS & Boris Johnson’s party (‘his lot’), both preceded by (‘after’) synonym for ‘very’ ]
[ BS & TORIES after SO ]
[ definition: sad excuses ]
20d Fabricwhose reversal’s no problem? (6)
[ wordplay: in reverse, words indicating ‘no’ and (mathematical) ‘problem’ ]
[ NIL SUM, backwards ]
[ definition: fabric ]
5dStreet vehicle in task removing what is grotty, ultimately? (8)
[ wordplay: abbrev. for ‘street’ & type of vehicle, both inside synonym for ‘task’ without last letter (‘ultimately’) of GROTTY ]
[ ST & CAR, both inside DUTY – Y ]
