can anyone give me hints as to how to solve following clues
1.Friends with an alien but made a useful stand for The Ashes
2. Their purpose is to raise food in China
Thanks in advance for any help
Hints would have been better but nevertheless thanks very much for the answers. I can now cross another 2 cryptic clues off my list. Have still got a few to go.
You are obviously very good at deciphering cryptic clues.