### Clue: Old batting hero may prefer to open after duck between centuries (7)
### Answer: COMPTON 
 ### Explanation: Definition: Old batting hero
Denis Compton the cricketer 
 **M**[ay] **P**[refer], after **O**=zero=a "duck" score in cricket; all inside **C** (100 in Roman numerals) and **TON**=another word for 'century'