Takes a knock (4)

I believe the answer is:

bats

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'takes' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for bats that I've seen before include "Hits" , "Very eccentric" , "Cuckoo" , "Bonkers (sl.)" , "Cricketers" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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