Puzzle enthusiasts can dive into another round of mental gymnastics with today’s cryptic crossword Number 30,112. Here’s a glimpse at the clues to get your neurons firing.
Across Clues
1. A makeup artist is trailing behind older women who are moving in circles (7 letters).
5. The mix of the Sabbath is like an accident (5-2 letters).
9. The return of a sharp-tongued South American singer means a small insult is delivered (5 letters).
10. The favourite cricket commentator of years gone by indulges in a red sweet dish (9 letters).
11. An occurrence involving a United fan at the end of a long day (10 letters).
12. Imagine Louis XIV, but he’s put some time aside to craft a loaf (4 letters).
14. The sound of a sinner’s instrument’s cord, ultimately disrupted by 19, creates something sugary (4, 7 letters).
18. For plants, darkness equals a form of inferno (11 letters).
21. Promotion query directed at the manager—what do you think? (4 letters).
22. The group of close-knit siblings lets go of Samson effortlessly (10 letters).
25. Detectives search for matches within arsenic holders during these decisive assessments (4, 5 letters).
26. Troubled duos might vanish here for a spirits-raising experience (5 letters).
27. Catch some while obstructing the flow to entangle in Grease (7 letters).
28. Concealing an attempt involves grabbing the second offering of Murray (4, 3 letters).
Down Clues
1. The energetic crew of Royal Engineers getting their first prominent win (6 letters).
2. Initials of a purloined ancient currency associated with the Duke of York (6 letters).
3. A financially strapped Matt Damon aims to offload stock at long last (10 letters).
4. A regal figure sometimes enriched by a man’s intermittent presence, capital-wise (5 letters).
5. A fashion doll adds flair with an elaborate trim (9 letters).
6. A cunning dog slides out of confinement (4 letters).
7. An explicit image winds up in an alternative magazine (3, 5 letters).
8. Heather steps outside only to be reduced to bare essentials (8 letters).
13. An intoxicated dad puffs away without challenge at the wagering venue (4-6 letters).
15. Essentially, a southpaw caged with 19 is both turned over and eliminated (9 letters).
16. Harry Hill goes on a rant under a serious spell (2, 8 letters).
17. An American in the family blocks a canyon, leading to fertile terrain (8 letters).
19. A feline brightens up the essence found within a YouTuber (6 letters).
20. Ascend to the peak of the Appalachian route (6 letters).
23. Calmed clothes creator unexpectedly reverses (5 letters).
24. A piece by Norman Tebbit perturbs a tobacco user (4 letters).
Reporting based on coverage first published by theguardian.com.