Ft Crossword 14820

[mikem004]

Need a couple to open the grid up:

1a) Resist change in partnership? Precisely (5,3)
S-A--/-A-
A cricketing term, maybe?

5a) Legendary character, singer, shunning love on island (6)
-C-R--

Also please explain the following solution:
24d) Player's agent overlooking fine = ACTOR

[scorpiojo]

5 Icarus(o)

[scorpiojo]

(F)actor?

[sandyRoe]

24 Factor(an agent) with the F removed..actor, a player

[scorpiojo]

^(agent)

[sandyRoe]

stand pat?

[Lie-in King]

1a Stand pat - 'stand' (p'ship in cricket) + 'pat' (precisely)
5a I-Carus(o)
24a (f)Actor

[mikem004]

ICARUS is a character from Greek legends.
CARUSO is a famous singer.

[scorpiojo]

Yes

[mikem004]

Sorry, ignore my last post.
5a) is ICARUS.

[scorpiojo]

^ yes :)

[mikem004]

This leaves:

3d) Two infer one duke should leave (5)
D-U-E
"deuce", maybe?

13a) Shepherd in timeless novel's beginning (9)
C-A-E-O-E
Must be "chaperone", but I can't see why.

[scorpiojo]

De(d)uce

[Lie-in King]

3d Yes - De(d)uce
13a Chap(t)er-one

[scorpiojo]

Chap(t)er one

[sandyRoe]

infer...deduce with D removed, deuce, 2

[shoota]

Chapter one......