Six balls, expected late (7)
I believe the answer is:
overdue
'late' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'six balls expected' is the wordplay.
'six balls' becomes 'over' (sequence of six balls bowled in cricket).
'expected' becomes 'due' (similar in meaning).
'over'+'due'='OVERDUE'
(Other definitions for overdue that I've seen before include "(Of library books) late" , "Behind expected time" , "Late, outstanding like bill" , "Behind schedule" , "Belated" .)