18 Across

[Meadoway]

One batsman defends Long John Silvers distinctive feature

l?g ?t?m?

Why is it leg stump?

Or maybe not.

[rabthe2nd]

It is Leg Stump Long john Silver had only one leg!!!

[boxtops]

Meadoway... you don't need to start a new thread, and you still haven't told us which crossword this is......
Someone's answered on the original thread now - Long John Silver had a wooden leg (stump) and leg stump is a way to get a batsman out in cricket.

[factor-fiction]

I assume you missed tthe apostrophe out of the clue.
Double meaning-
one thing a batsman defends is his leg stump.
And LJS's distictive feature was his leg stump

[middlestump]

A batsman has to defend three stumps - one of them is the off stump, one is where I take my screenname from and the other one is the leg stump

[Meadoway]

Regret I Still cannot see what the answer has to do with batsman and defending. I am well aware stumping is a way of getting a batsman out and everybody knows about Long John Silver and his leg

[factor-fiction]

Sorry, I thought Middlestump's explanation , and mine, were perfect.
The stumps are the wickets. The batman defends them. One of the stumps is called the leg stump.

[Meadoway]

Factor 30

Ok I give in. I still think it is a lousy clue.