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Are the 11 extra cells (in alphabetical order) 5,3,3? If so I'm struggling to find the last but one of the 5 group (in the logical order). (I'm trying not to give too much away here.) I think it might be in 27, which I can't parse (although the answer is clear enough).

I'm not following your alphabetical idea, cockie. In alphabetical order I make the components of the 11squares -

5x (the 5 letter word)
3x (the 4 letter word)
3x (the 7 letter word)

There isn't a member of the 7 letter word in 27ac - but it does have thematic significance (the answer is hidden in the clue).
If you understand my groupings, ask again (but you've probably found it now).
I think you might be looking for the one 19ac (where only 3 letters are clued for a longer word)?

...and now I see what you mean by 5 3 3! Should have given it a bit more thought (I think the one you need is at either end of 26d).

...and I suspect it's 27d you haven't worked out (because there isn't the relevant letter in 27a). 27d -
'street' is the habitat of 'the poor' with L 'languishing' where 't' should be.

Thanks, but if the missing "X" (for want of a better term) is "either" end of 26 D I can't parse it - surely "when batting" means IN?

In this instance I think 'when batting' is the anagrind for 'runs', cockie.

Ah! Thanks.

I am struggling with 18 across - Elizabethan stock of children's pedigree was sometimes rejected (5), I can see only one word which will fit what I have so suspect I could have something wrong. Apart from that I have - to use alphabetical order 5-2-2 - so need to go back to find the two I am missing. I suspect I could draw the lines without them. Any hints would be welcome.

The def is 'children' (Shakespeare) an alt sp of the 'ey...' version.
The letters are reversed in 'pedigree was'.

As you know the initial letters to follow, drawing the lines shouldn't be difficult (only use right angles and only turn when you're on one of the initial letter).