The Hindu Crossword No. 2523 Sunday, March 08, 2009

Across

1 Talented, learner driver entering Lincoln? (4) ABLE

3 Older girl's crime, perhaps (6) BIG AMY

8 Belt of identical colour brought in (3,6) SAM BROWN E

9 Plain over in Gabon, alluvial (5) LLANO

11 See the renowned navy at sea, periodically (5,3,3,4) EVERY NOW AND THEN*

12 Show former head of House one piece (7) EX H I BIT

14 English stay in charge, being flexible (7) E LAST IC

15 Notice appropriate editor changed (7) AD APT ED

17 Extremely heavy girl is from a Cape Cod resort (7) HY ANN IS

19 A sign in a plant? (4,2,9) STAR OF BETHLEHEM

21 He's seen in wings in Carmen Jones (a musical) (5) CHESS

22 Bear on island in apparent distress (9) APPERTAIN

23 Spinner quietly stopping team getting runs (6) S(P)IDE R

24 Ruler in eastern border needing backing (4) EMIR

Down

1 Severe south wind on top of Eiger (7) AUSTERE

2 Capable, Thelma working in important London residence (7,6) LAMBETH PALACE*

3 Dismiss Cockney yobbo? (4,3) BLOW OUT

4 Source of extreme danger if tossed (7) GRENADE

5 Play short tune, hit by Anastacia initially (9) MELOD (-Y) RAM A

6 Dramatist's written about a brawl (4) FR(A)Y

7 Brandy in clubs can go up (6) COGNAC

10 A jab to good effect? (1,4,2,3,3) A SHOT IN THE ARM

13 Last drink cheers (7,2) BOTTOMS UP

15 US cash used in a particular capacity (2,4) AS SUCH*

16 Expert fish worker (3,4) DAB HAND

17 Rough up short rash fellow (7) HOT SPUR*

18 Major, for the most part, runs conference (7) SEMINAR

20 Instrument used by Simply Red (4) LYRE