Clue: Ground earth to be removed from border fortress (not Italy's first) (9)
Answer: EDGBASTON
Explanation: Ground earth to be removed from border fortress (not Italy's first) (9)
E (earth) *to be removed from* **EDG**(e) ("border") + **BAST**(i)**ON** with I (*Itay's first*) removed. 
*Edgbaston is a test cricket ground in Birmingham.