Runs away in defeat (4)
I believe the answer is:
rout
'defeat' is the definition.
(I know that rout is a type of defeat)
'runs away' is the wordplay.
'runs' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'away' becomes 'out' (synonyms).
'r'+'out'='ROUT'
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for rout that I've seen before include "Overwhelming victory" , "Complete defeat" , "snore" , "Total defeat in battle" , "Defeat thoroughly" .)