Crossword Genius

Home ground backing Hampshire's opener (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hearth

'home' is the definition.
(I know that hearth is a type of home)

'ground backing hampshire's opener' is the wordplay.
'ground' becomes 'earth' (synonyms).
'backing' says to put letters next to each other.
'opener' says to take the initial letters.
The first letter of 'hampshire' is 'h'.
'earth' put after 'h' is 'HEARTH'.

(Other definitions for hearth that I've seen before include "a warm, welcoming place" , "Hot place" , "Fireplace surround" , "Open fireplace" , "home circle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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