This time holding run, coming back exhausted (4)
I believe the answer is:
worn
'exhausted' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'this time holding run coming back' is the wordplay.
'this time' becomes 'now' (now is a kind of time**).
'holding' indicates putting letters inside.
'run' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'coming back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'now' going around 'r' is 'nrow'.
'nrow' written backwards gives 'WORN'.
(Other definitions for worn that I've seen before include "Frayed" , "Shabby" , "Hackneyed, trite" , "Showing the effects of use" , "Threadbare" .)