Weekend Quick Cryptic 131 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Phil's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Summer Social. TimesforTheTimes is having a Summer Social at The George, Southwark from midday this Saturday 14th June. All three of your Weekend Quick Cryptic setters are planning to be there. Do come and join us for a drink or two as we celebrate 5 years of the Weekend Quick Cryptic series.

Before looking at the answers, if you would like some additional help, click the label below.

Hints and tips...

Her are a few hints and tips.

• 9A The big game could be in cricket or rugby.
• 12A Kelly was a famous Australian bush ranger.
• In 3D the poor delivery is one at cricket.

And click on this label to get the solution.

Solution and explanation of the answers...

Definitions  underlined in bold italics , ( Abc )* indicating anagram of Abc,{deletions} and [] other indicators.

Across
1 Outlines on courts becoming blurred (8)
CONTOURS – (on courts)* [becoming blurred].
5 All-points bulletin? (4)
NEWS – Cryptic definition, all the points of the compass being N E W and S.
8 Article : "The End of War" read aloud (5)
PIECE – Sounds like [read aloud] PEACE (the end of war).
9 Demonstrate in favour of big game (7)
PROTEST – PRO (in favour of) TEST (big game in cricket or rugby).
11 Occasionally envied First Lady? (3)
EVE – Alternate letters [occasionally] of EnViEd. First lady as in Adam and Eve.
12 Regularly designed sales pitch with Kelly (9)
PATTERNED – PATTER (sales pitch) NED (Ned Kelly). Ned Kelly, the famous Australian bushranger.
13 Spice Girl was up for it (6)
SPORTY - Double definition.
15 Vote to return after dance (6)
BALLOT – BALL (dance), TO [return] -> OT.
18 Surprisingly it's the gap in Italian cuisine (9)
SPAGHETTI – [Surprisingly] (it’s the gap)*.
19 Chap found in Vietnam a native (3)
MAN – Hidden in VietnaM A Native.
20 Set up with little effort - but with no room for manoeuvre (7)
RIGIDLY – RIG (set up) IDLY (with little effort).
21 Two boys joined at birth (5)
NATAL – NAT AL (two boys names).
22 Undertaking to enquire after completion of quest (4)
TASK – Last letter of [completion of] quesT, ASK (enquire).
23 Primates, we're told, are to be found in kitchens (8)
GRILLERS – Sounds like GORILLAS (primates).
 
Down
1 Old laundry facilities for policemen (7)
COPPERS – Double definition.
2 Family member supplies drug in Riviera city (5)
NIECE – E (Ecstasy; drug) in NICE (Riviera City).
3 In charge of business proposal, press chief delivered poorly (11)
OVERPITCHED – OVER (in charge of) PITCH (business proposal) ED (editor; press chief).
4 Fame of salesman with Australian pick-up (6)
REPUTE – REP (salesman) UTE (Australian pick-up truck).
6 Ten real changes that will last (7)
ETERNAL – (ten real)* [changes].
7 In Odessa Teddy is replete (5)
SATED – Hidden in OdesSA TEDdy.
10 Musical drama has nothing in Latin strangely - but it's fit for purpose (11)
 OPERATIONAL – OPERA (musical drama) and O (round letter; nothing)  in (Latin)* [strangely).
14 Nag Rose about fruit (7)
ORANGES – (nag rose)* [about].
16 Rumpled singlet is sensational! (7)
TINGLES – [Rumpled] (singlet)*.
17 In Surrey a tsar returning - not one for leaving (6)
STAYER – Reverse hidden in SursREY A TSar.
18 Appear proud when trust is misplaced (5)
STRUT -  (trust)* [misplaced].
19 A measure and a means to measure it reportedly (5)
METRE – Sounds like METER (something to measure).