Hindu Xword 8203

Across

1 Hit back? It is oddly unfair (1,3,5)A BIT THICK

5 English county creatures (5)BUCKS(?)

8 Courage derived from a drink holder (6)BOTTLE(?)

9 What an anonymous letter could be (8)UNSIGNED

11 A measure that dear ones back (4)STEP

12 A mean, blasé, corrupt sailor (4,6)ABLE SEAMAN

14 About a hip bone mentioned in a Swahili account (5)ILIAC

15 Germ cells that Georgia reportedly encounters (7)GAMETES.

16 One that arouses a keen manoeuvre in conflict (8)WAKENER.

17 Feeling remorse is universal in a band (5)RYING

19 But for a southpaw his delivery would be the opposite (3,7)OFF SPINNER.

20 Heart of woman's winning service in club (4)

22 I quietly ignore rip in dressing gown (8)PEIGNOIR

23 Bacon's piece that was more impetuous (6)RASHER(?)

24 Girl who found Montana's capital not hard (5)ESEMA(SEEMA)(?)

25 The art of getting stuffed! (9)

Down

1 In the morning, a statesman is lying in wait (6)AMBUSH

2 Another moment and it would have been too late (2,3,4,2,4)IN THE NICK OF TIME

3 Note a couple of pounds in the cash box (4)TILL

4 School for more pleasant garnet designing (12)KINDERGARTEN

5 The one to be married is a girl assisting another getting wed (10)BRIDESMAID

6 Emigrant poacher who turned cameraman (15)CINEMATOGRAPHER

7 Chants, about 499 short lines (7)SIDINGS

10 Opposing reform, old boy's blunt around opponents (12)OBSCURANTISM

13 Bear-like creature, huge, and protected by father (5,5)GIANT PANDA

16 Joyous shout, we hope, is about love (7)WHOOPEE(WHOOPES)

18 Man with an affected interest in painting, for instance, is warm and unreserved (6)SMARTY(?)

21 A poet reportedly embargoed (4) BARD.