The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word NINEPIN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
N
I
N
E
P
I
N
More clues leading to the result NINEPIN
- What bowler aims at from square leg?
- Bowler aims to hit one over square leg
- Square leg bowler’s target?
- One of a group knocked down in an alley
- I get knocked down by one in news deal when cycling
- 28.2743 approximately, number that’s to be knocked down
- Enter quicklyto obtain skittle
- Square leg used in their game
- Cat lives next to short tree – one standing in alley
- Write-up in Ulster Mirror set one up only to be knocked down
Buddy explains!

The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.