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What a start it has been for Everton in the 2025/26 Premier League season. David Moyes’ side has made several new additions and, so far, they’re proving to be successful. The Toffees are flying already this season, and sit fifth in the table.

The Merseysiders have already picked up six points and have scored five goals, having no issues in front of goal. Jack Grealish has started his career at the Hill Dickinson Stadium superbly, with four assists already, and Iliman Ndiaye has scored twice in the first three games.

Having a real focal point leading he line has been important, too. New signing Thierno Barry has started once, with Beto given the nod in the other two games. His early-season form has been strong.

Beto’s start to the season

It has been a fast start to the new campaign for Beto, who has now found the back of the net 17 times for Everton. As per Transfermarkt, most of those have come under Moyes, with the striker scoring nine times in 23 games under the legendary Scotsman.

So, it’s surely no surprise that the former Udinese star has already found the back of the net twice this season, in just four games. He’s only featured for 221 minutes, leaving him with an average of 2.4 full 90-minute games played and a goals-per-game average of almost 1.

One of the 27-year-old’s goals came in the Carabao Cup against Mansfield Town, and the other in the Premier League against Wolverhampton Wanderers. That game saw Beto play 76 minutes and open the scoring inside the first ten minutes, as Everton won 3-2.

It has certainly been a fast start to the season for Beto, who has previously struggled in a Toffees shirt. His value his shot up recently, coinciding with this good form, and he’s now worth as much as £19.1m, according to Transfermarkt.

Incidentally, there is a former Everton striker who is worth far more than Betom and has shown even better form than the 27-year-old.

The former Everton striker worth more than Beto

If Beto is doing this well under Moyes, you can only imagine the kind of form that Italian centre-forward Moise Kean would have shown. The 25-year-old was snapped up by the Toffees back in 2019 from Juventus for upwards of £27.1m.

However, after a few loan spells, he returned to the Old Lady four years on, with Farhad Moshiri and co ultimately deciding it was best to cut ties with the striker. In total, Kean played just 39 games for the club, scoring four goals, before ultimately returning to Serie A.

After a tough season in Turin following his permanent return, the striker moved to Fiorentina, where his career has taken a huge upward trajectory. His goal record in Florence has been exceptional, with former Juve teammate Weston McKennie describing him as a “beast”.

In 47 games for the Tuscany-based club, he’s found the back of the net 25 times, chipping in with five assists. Last season, Kean was second in the race for the Serie A Golden Boot, with 19 goals to his name.

He averaged 0.7 goals per game and had a conversion rate of 21.35% in the Italian top flight.

Shots on target

1.7

51

Goals

0.7

19

Conversion rate

21.35%

21.25%

Chances created

0.6

17

Take-ons completed

1.5

44

One of his best goals included this acrobatic effort against Genoa, showing just how deadly he can be in the penalty box. The form he has shown for Fiorentina means his value has shot up, with Transfermarkt valuing him at £43.4m, well over double what Beto is worth.

That is also the highest Kean has been worth in his career.

Kean’s form makes you wonder how good the 25-year-old could have been if he were still at Everton now. With the attacking talent the Toffees have, like Grealish and Ndiaye, plus the output Moyes has gotten from his team this season, he could have been flying in a blue shirt.

It is something that the Everton faithful can only imagine, amid the mess made of the situation by the likes of Moshiri. But if Moyes had been able to coach Kean, he could have been a key player at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and contributed to this excellent start to the season.

Silva sold "world-class" Everton star, now he's worth more than Grealish

Everton must rue letting this top star go, who is now worth more than new Toffees ace Jack Grealish.

ByKelan Sarson Sep 2, 2025

Mitchell Marsh is a good chance of keeping his place for the final Test against India in Sydney despite a lean series with the bat while his lack of overs continues to be attributed to the nature of the matches rather than any fitness issues.Uncapped Tasmania allrounder Beau Webster is in the squad along with spare fast bowlers Jhye Richardson and Sean Abbott if Mitchell Starc is unable to recover after suffering a back problem at the MCG or the selectors decide on other changes.Related

• Mitchell Marsh dropped, Beau Webster to debut in Sydney

• 'He'll push through' – Carey confident Starc won't let back issue keep him out of SCG Test

• Golden-arm Head was helping with Australia's over rate

• No Gabba 2021 at MCG 2024 as India lose a Test they needn't have

• Rohit on Bumrah's bowling workloads: 'We've been very careful'

Coach Andrew McDonald and captain Pat Cummins both admitted Starc was carrying an issue and bowling through pain, but believed he should be right to play in Sydney.However, Starc’s issue, and his workload across the series alongside Cummins, has highlighted the lack of contribution from Australia’s fifth bowler in Marsh. He has bowled just 33 overs across seven innings in the series (discounting the brief second innings in Brisbane), and since claiming 2 for 12 in the first innings of the series he has figures of 1 for 127 from his last 28 overs.Travis Head provided a vital match-winning breakthrough for Australia in the fourth innings at the MCG as Marsh did not bowl at all in the final two sessions despite periods where Australia’s quicks needed a rest. But McDonald insisted he has no worries about Marsh’s contributions with the ball.”No, there’s no concern,” McDonald said after the memorable victory at the MCG. “And I think people have probably been reading too much into that. We haven’t required him with the ball as often as what we would have thought. He bowled again today. His speeds are up in the high 120s [kph]. There are no injury concerns there.”I think to sort of head that down that angle is a little bit unfair. We just haven’t required him at certain times for whatever reason, so that’s more a tactical implementation, as opposed to a body. I think the amount of overs that we’ve bowling across the series is probably going to be to a benefit to us.Mitchell Marsh has had a lean series but appears likely to keep his place•Getty Images

“Across the entirety of the series, it’s been relatively light, so I’d expect both attacks to be in decent shape to be able to press [in the final Test]. So does that mean you need a fifth bowler? I think you still need a fifth bowler. But are you going to put a huge demand on the fifth bowler, potentially not.”However, Marsh’s limited contributions have further exacerbated his lean returns with the bat. The reigning Allan Border Medalist was Australia’s best Test batter last season with match-winning half-centuries in four of Australia’s six wins across series against Pakistan, West Indies and New Zealand. But in this series he has scored just 73 runs at 10.42, with 47 of those coming in the second innings in Perth when the game was long gone. Nathan McSweeney scored 72 at 14.40 before he was dropped for the fourth Test.Despite the poor series and a history of self-doubt, McDonald believed Marsh was in a good frame of mind.”Would he like better performances? There’s no doubt about that,” he said. “Over four Test matches, he hasn’t been able to deliver at the level that he would like and we would like, but yeah he’s up and about. We just won a Test match. He’s in a pretty good headspace.”McDonald was confident his trio of quicks could handle the short turnaround to Sydney despite Starc’s soreness.”Anytime you get through the game, it’s always a good indicator that you’re a chance at the next game,” McDonald said. “It didn’t stop him. Clearly, there was a little bit of discomfort early on in spells, but once he got warm, it seemed as though he was pretty free. [His] ball speeds were good.”We’ll see how everyone recovers. Bowling last, it was a pretty attritional game, something that we’re not used to in the last few years. Clearly Starcy’s carrying something of some description. We’ll assess that. But other than that, it looks as though we got through pretty unscathed, but [with a] short turnaround recovery is important, and we’ll assess what the team looks like in Sydney based upon the surface, as we always do.”Australia released Richardson to play a BBL game for Perth Scorchers in Adelaide on New Year’s Eve but he will return to the squad on Wednesday and McDonald was confident, despite his injury history, that he could be called upon to play if needed.”Very confident,” he said. “He’s here for a reason. So if we weren’t confident, he wouldn’t be here. He’s had a heavy week with us in the nets. All indications are he’d be capable of bowling 40-plus overs if he was called upon.”Sean Abbott’s there as well. We feel like, [the] SCG is his home ground, so he will be serviceable if called upon as well. It’ll be about assessing our frontline quicks and then making decisions from there.”Josh Inglis, who has been a reserve batter throughout the series, was withdrawn from the squad after picking up a calf strain while substitute fielding on the second day at the MCG. It has yet to be confirmed if a replacement will be named.

MatériaMais Notícias

O pensamento do Santos está na partida da Copa do Brasil que acontecerá nesta quarta-feira (26), contra o Botafogo-SP. Contudo, ao olhar para a competição do ano que vem, o clube ainda não tem vaga garantida para o torneio nacional da próxima temporada.

Após cair precocemente no Paulistão e não garantir presença na Copa do Brasil 2024, o Santos poderia conquistar a classificação por meio da disputa da Copa Paulista.Todavia, a Federação Paulista de Futebol (FPF) divulgou os clubes participantes do torneio e o Peixe não está presente.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasSantosDiante do Botafogo-SP, Santos terá público de mulheres e crianças pela Copa do BrasilSantos24/04/2023SantosSantos não aproveita Vila Belmiro, Atlético-MG desperdiça chances, e o empate prevaleceSantos23/04/2023SantosSantos venceu apenas um dos últimos cinco jogos contra o Atlético-MG; veja o retrospectoSantos23/04/2023

+ATUAÇÕES: Santos tem atuação irregular, e Ângelo sai vaiado em empate com o Atlético-MG

Existem outras duas maneiras de classificação para a próxima edição da copa nacional. Uma delas é se classificar para a Copa Libertadores do ano que vem e a outra é vencer a atual edição da Copa do Brasil.

Deixar de disputar a competição não é bom negócio, principalmente se olharmos para a parte financeira. Nessa temporada, o campeão da competição, com as premiações recebidas em cada fase, pode faturar até R$ 92 milhões.

TIMES PARTICIPANTES DA COPA PAULISTA 2023:

Comercial
EC São Bernardo
Grêmio Prudente
Juventus
Marília
Mirassol
Noroeste
Oeste
Ponte Preta
Portuguesa
Portuguesa Santista
Primavera
Red Bull Bragantino
Santo André
São Bento
São Caetano
São José
XV de Piracicaba

His lifetime leadership ban was overturned last month and he will now captain again in Australia before the end of his career

Andrew McGlashan05-Nov-2024

David Warner will be available throughout the BBL season•Getty Images

David Warner has been named Sydney Thunder captain for this season’s BBL after his leadership ban was overturned last month.Cricket Australia’s Code of Conduct Commission ruled that Warner’s ban, which was handed down after the Newlands ball-tampering scandal in 2018 and prevented him holding any leadership position in Australian cricket, should no longer be in place. It opened up the route for Warner to captain Thunder with him available for the entire season.Related

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Warner's leadership ban overturned by Cricket Australia

“Quite clearly that was the last piece of that puzzle for me, and now it’s about coming out and sharing my knowledge of the game,” Warner said on being able to move on from the leadership ban. “Forever, that was probably going to be on my CV as well. You don’t want to look back when you go for a job interview and have ‘banned for life from a leadership perspective’ on your CV. That’s something that I’ll be able to now share with my girls moving forward that I’m able to actually be a leader.”After a failed attempt to overturn the ban in 2022, amid calls for the hearing to be public, Warner admitted he thought his chance had gone”I think two years ago that was probably me done,” he said. “I thought I probably wouldn’t revisit that. I didn’t even know if I was going to come back and play Big Bash”I was at that stage I was playing a Test match series [in 2022]..it could have easily been done prior to the series started but that’s why I withdrew it and I wanted to revisit that now,” he said. “It’s all done and dusted. I’m not playing for the Australian cricket team anymore and we don’t have to put the team in the spotlight.”Trent Copeland, the Thunder general manager who had been heavily involved in the appeal process, said it would help Warner cement a legacy at the club.”This is a huge moment for David and for our club,” he said. “It’s not only about his career; it’s about the legacy he’s creating, especially for his family and the next generation of players.”For the fans in Western Sydney who’ve long recognised David as a Thunder legend, it’s a special moment to now see him as their captain. This captaincy is about more than cricket; it’s about community, legacy, and helping our younger players gain the skills they need to succeed.”Warner has previously led Thunder once back in 2011 when he made an unbeaten 102 against Melbourne Stars. He has been appointed ahead of Chris Green who was captain last season when the team finished bottom.”I want to compliment the way Greeny led from the front,” Warner said. “He’s an exceptional talent with fantastic leadership qualities. Jason Sangha, too, before his injury. I gained great insight from both, and I know they’re guys I can lean on this season.”Speaking when the ban was lifted, Copeland said it was about more than Warner being able to lead a cricket team again.”This is far bigger than a cricket captaincy role. It’s leadership in a lifelong context,” he said. “This was about him, his daughters in particular, the legacy he wants to leave for his family. This is about Davey, his family and ultimately in our belief what is right at this point in time.”If that’s a lifelong ban, it’s still over him when he’s 50, 60. It just would never go away. It [what happened in 2018] may not ever go away, but I think at least this gives it a shot.”In their judgement, the review panel noted “the respectful and contrite tone of his [Warner’s] responses, as well as the content impressed the Review Panel and led it to the unanimous view that he was sincere and genuine in acknowledging responsibility for the conduct and in his statement that he had extreme remorse for his conduct.”Since his CA ban, Warner has captained teams in the BPL, IPL, and ILT20. The last time he led an Australian team was when he captained the T20I side against New Zealand in 2018.Thunder begin their BBL campaign against Adelaide Strikers in Canberra on December 17 before facing Sydney Sixers in the first derby clash at the Showground on December 21.

واصل نجم فريق ريال مدريد، كيليان مبابي، تألقه في الموسم الحالي من بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم، حيث سجل هدفًا في الجولة الرابعة من المنافسات.

واستضاف ملعب “ريالي آرينا” مباراة ريال مدريد وريال سوسيداد، في الجولة الرابعة من الليجا، موسم 2025/26.

وتمكن نجم ريال مدريد، كيليان مبابي، من تسجيل هدف أول في شباك ريال سوسيداد، في الدقيقة 12 من عمر الشوط الأول.

وتألق البرازيلي رافينها في مباراة فريقه برشلونة أمام فالنسيا حيث سجل هدفين لصالح البلوجرانا، ضمن مباريات الجولة ذاتها. ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني

1. كيليان مبابي، ريال مدريد، 4 أهداف.

2. رافينها، برشلونة، 3 أهداف.

3. تاجون بوكانان، فياريال، 3 أهداف.

3. أدريان ليسو، خيتافي، 3 أهداف.

4. مير، إلتشي، 3 أهداف.

5. لامين يامال، برشلونة، هدفان.

6. فينيسيوس جونيور، ريال مدريد، هدفان.

7. بيري ميلا، إسبانيول، هدفان.

8. فيران توريس، برشلونة، هدفان.

9. إسحاق روميرو، إشبيلية، هدفان.

10. نيكولاس بيبي، فياريال، هدفان.

11. فيرمين لوبيز، برشلونة، هدفان.

12. روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، برشلونة، هدفان.

ويمكنك متابعة ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني بشكل محدث من هنا.

Fulham have now approached the agents of an “incredible” player over a potential move to Craven Cottage, but it may take an offer of £34m to get a deal done, journalist Orazio Accomando has revealed.

Cottagers set sights on new midfielder

The Cottagers are yet to make any additions to their squad this summer, but the recent news that Kenny Tete is set to sign a new deal is a bonus, given that the Dutchman had been linked with a move to Everton.

In terms of potential new arrivals, Marco Silva appears to be particularly keen on strengthening his midfield options this summer, having identified a number of targets over the past month.

Target

Current club

Potential cost

Nadiem Amiri

Mainz

£15m

Kalvin Phillips

Manchester City

£21m

Joao Palhinha

Bayern Munich

£25m

Rocco Reitz

Borussia Monchengladbach

£17m

Having solidified themselves as a Premier League club, the west Londoners may now be in a position to be a tad more ambitious with their targets, and they have now made an approach for a 2025 Champions League finalist.

That is according to an update from Accomando on X, with the reporter stating that Fulham have now submitted an enquiry over a deal for Inter Milan star Hakan Çalhanoğlu, making contact with the midfielder’s agents.

Inter aren’t willing to let the maestro leave on the cheap, however, with the Italian club set to hold out for a fee of €40m (£34m), which may be prohibitive for fellow potential suitors Galatasaray, who are only willing to offer €15m (£13m).

Leeds leading Fulham in race to sign £8.5m defender alongside Bornauw

Leeds United are now in a race to sign a defender who has been impressing in Germany.

ByBrett Worthington Jul 1, 2025

The 31-year-old “wants” to join Galatasaray, but the Turkish champions may find it difficult to win the race for his signature if a bidding war breaks out, with Manchester United also expressing an interest.

Çalhanoğlu could be "incredible" coup for Fulham

It would be a real statement of intent if Fulham were able to sign a 2025 Champions League finalist, particularly one who played a major role in the Italian side reaching that stage of the competition.

The Inter star was a key player throughout the campaign, regularly providing goals and assists in all competitions, despite often featuring in a deep-lying role.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Serie A

29

5

6

Champions League

12

4

2

Italian Cup

4

2

0

The Turk is also vastly experienced at international level, scoring 21 goals in 97 outings for his country, including a remarkable effort at Euro 2024.

Turkey assistant manager Daniele Russo was subsequently left impressed by the Germany-born midfielder, saying: “It goes without saying that he is an incredible player. He is also very good at protecting his young teammates.”

As such, Çalhanoğlu could be a statement signing for Fulham this summer, but Galatasaray and Manchester United’s interest could pose a problem.

Fulham are now primed to move for a 23-goal striker who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer, according to a report.

Cottagers eyeing new striker amid Silva uncertainty

There has been doubt over Marco Silva’s future in west London for quite some time, with Tottenham Hotspur among the clubs keen on the Portuguese manager, and the latest update from BBC Sport’s Simon Stone doesn’t exactly do much to allay fears.

Stone said: “They have just had their third mid-table finish but I got the strong feeling around March-time that Silva felt Europe, either through the league or FA Cup, was a possibility. He will want improvement. If he doesn’t think he will get it, Silva is bound to start looking at his options.”

As such, the hierarchy may feel the need to build a squad capable of competing for a place in Europe next season, in order to tempt Silva into staying, and they have now set their sights on a new striker target.

Indeed, according to a report from The Express, Fulham are now primed to pounce on a deal for Hamburg striker Davie Selke, who is in line to leave the German club on a free transfer this summer, should he be unable to agree a new deal.

Remaining at Hamburg is a possibility, but there is certainly no shortage of interest from elsewhere, which could turn the forward’s head, with West Ham United and Leeds United also being named as potential suitors.

Offer made: Fulham make £1m bid for EFL ace with a "wonder of a left foot"

The Cottagers have made an opening bid for a new defender.

By
Dominic Lund

May 28, 2025

RB Leipzig are in pole position to sign the 30-year-old, however, which could make a deal difficult to orchestrate for the Cottagers, and they have a number of other potential alternative options on their shortlist.

Selke in high demand after firing Hamburg to promotion

Hamburg finally ended their seven-year Bundesliga absence this season, securing a second-place finish to clinch promotion, and the German forward played a fundamental role in their success, scoring 23 goals in all competitions.

Former FC Köln manager Steffen Baumgart has also given an overview of the marksman’s abilities in the past, saying: “He creates spaces for his teammates, he can be nasty for the opponent and gives presence in the penalty area.”

Raul Jimenez enjoyed a solid 2024-25 campaign, netting 12 Premier League goals, but it could be a smart move to bring in a striker capable of competing for the Mexican’s spot, considering he is now 34-years-old and arguably in his twilight years.

A track record of goals in the German second tier doesn’t necessarily mean Selke would be a success in the Premier League, but given that he is set to be available on a free transfer, it is certainly worth Fulham taking a punt this summer.

In what could see one player make his return to the Premier League, Everton have now reportedly made their first contact to sign a former Arsenal defender this summer.

Everton looking to bounce back from defeat

Like every side sandwiched inside the Premier League’s bottom half, Everton have the luxury of playing without the pressure of relegation in the coming weeks, with the drop now confirmed for all three of Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton. What that should hand them the chance to focus on is handing Goodison Park the farewell it deserves and that should start with bouncing back from defeat.

Friedkin now serious about dream Everton move to sign "fantastic" forward

A signing that would certainly make a statement…

ByTom Cunningham Apr 29, 2025

With nothing left to play for, the Toffees have suffered back-to-back defeats against Manchester City and Chelsea in two narrow games, much to the frustration of those on Merseyside who’ll be hoping to end the season strongly.

Manager David Moyes reacted to defeat against Chelsea last time out, telling reporters: “We were perhaps fortunate to only be 1-0 down at half-time, but we stuck at it and grew into the game and played very well in the second half.

“We were just lacking quality to get a finish on the end of some of our play. The substitutes made a big difference. It looked like we had more energy and were more creative.”

It’s the type of quality that the Everton boss will hope to see his side find in their penultimate game at Goodison Park this Saturday, which will see them square off against Ipswich Town.

It’s a game that the Toffees will be expected to win, especially at Goodison Park, and one that they should use to make a statement of intent as they prepare to enter a new era at the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.

Meanwhile, away from the pitch, ahead of that new era, Friedkin have already reportedly set their sights on their first summer signing.

Everton express interest in signing Tavares

According to Sky Sports’ Gianluca Di Marzio, Everton have now expressed interest in signing Nuno Tavares from Lazio this summer. The left-back has spent the season on loan at the Serie A club this season in a move that will become permanent at the end of the current campaign. Any move away from English football may be short-lived, however, amid interest from Everton.

Praised for an “incredible season” and described as “talented” by U23 scout Antonio Mango during his loan spell at Marseille last season, Tavares has only reached more impressive levels at Lazio – assisting nine goals in all competitions.

As Ashley Young edges closer to retirement too, welcoming fresh competition for Vitalii Mykolenko would be no bad idea for Everton this summer, and Tavares would offer exactly that.

In one swift move, the left-back could find himself on his way back to the Premier League not long after turning his loan move permanent at Lazio this summer.

A “very interesting” Newcastle United transfer target is believed to be open to joining the club this summer, potentially coming in as an Alexander Isak replacement.

Isak's Newcastle future still unclear

There have been many standout performers for the Magpies throughout this season, but Isak has been their star man, leading the line superbly and maturing into one of Europe’s top strikers.

Isak has scored 21 goals in 30 Premier League appearances in 2024/25, with only Mohamed Salah (27) netting more times in the competition, and his performances have inevitably seen him linked with a move away from St James’ Park, with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal seeing him as an ideal target.

For that reason, alternatives are already being looked at, should the worst-case scenario happen for Magpies supporters, with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic mentioned as an option- the Turin giants are willing to sell him this summer.

While not a like-for-like replacement for Isak, Manchester City winger Jack Grealish has also been linked with a move to Newcastle at the end of the current campaign, having fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola of late.

Emanuel Emegha open to Newcastle move this summer

According to a fresh update from L’Equipe, Emanuel Emegha is open to joining Newcastle this summer, with the Strasbourg forward seen as a target for the Magpies. The 22-year-old has been identified as a replacement for Isak, should the Swede depart St James’ at the end of the season, with Chelsea also still trying to sign him.

Ideally, Isak will remain at Newcastle for many more years to come, with Emegha coming in as competition, replacing Callum Wilson in Eddie Howe’s attack. Should the Dutchman only arrive as a direct replacement for the Magpies superstar, though, he would still represent an exciting option with a huge amount of promise, with his peak years still some time away.

Emegha has scored 22 goals in 58 appearances for Strasbourg, which is a strong return, and he has been capped across four different age groups at youth team level for the Netherlands. Meanwhile, talent spotter Jacek Kulig has described the young attacker as a “very interesting” player.

The importance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League is huge when it comes to Newcastle signing footballers of his quality, especially if they pip Chelsea to a place in Europe’s leading club competition.

Netherlands Under-21s

9

3

Netherlands Under-20s

1

2

Netherlands Under-19s

7

5

Netherlands Under-15s

1

0

As mentioned, the Magpies not signing Emegha this summer will hopefully mean that Isak has stayed put, but if he departs, the towering 6 foot 5 Strasbourg ace looks like an eye-catching option to replace him.

They hadn’t conquered Asia since 2014, and following their series win in Bangladesh, South Africa are setting sights on higher honours

Firdose Moonda31-Oct-2024It still matters. Winning away from home matters. Winning in the subcontinent matters. Doing both those things as a country that is now seen as one of the Test nations matters most of all, as South Africa have just experienced.Don’t buy into the talk that it’s only Bangladesh, a place where South Africa have never lost a Test and look at the bigger picture. For the last ten years, the subcontinent has been all but insurmountable. Between September 2014 and September 2024, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies collectively played 35 series in the subcontinent and won just six. Of those, England were responsible for three series (Sri Lanka 2018 and 2021 and Pakistan in 2022) while South Africa lost all four series they played.To be able to finally change that is something South Africa’s stand-in captain Aiden Markram described in an understated way as “very special,” while also recognising the significance it has in serving as a marker of progress.”For us as a group of players, we’ve never won a game or a series in the subcontinent so that makes it very special. It’s been a tough journey at times and to slowly be progressing is a really good thing for us,” he said.Related

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Jansen, Coetzee set to make T20I return against India

Spinners, Rabada's complete performances hand South Africa their biggest innings win

The last time South Africa conquered Asia was in 2014, at the latter end of a dream run that saw them go nine years unbeaten on the road. At the time, Markram was fresh off captaining the under-19 side to the age-group title in the UAE and the future looked bright. They didn’t know it then, but things were already changing.Big-name retirements started with Jacques Kallis in 2013 and every year since then someone else who was considered essential to success stepped away. As recently as last December, former captain and stalwart opener Dean Elgar called it a day which means South Africa have been in transition for almost ten years. The subcontinent became an impossible place to win as South Africa experienced in India in 2015 and 2019, in Sri Lanka in 2018 and in Pakistan in 2021. Of course, it’s not as though SENA countries hadn’t been making use of their own home advantage for decades so they had nothing to complain about, but it didn’t make the losses hurt any less.South Africa’s batting has paid the highest price for that. Since May 2018, they do have a single Test batter with an average over 40 which includes all of the current squad. Tony de Zorzi, thanks to his 177, and David Bedingham, with a hundred and three fifties, are close but both have only played eight Tests.What that means is that South Africa didn’t often have hundreds, which is something they had to play down and Markram is still singing from that hymn book.”As for numbers, it’s all quite relative. You look at different surfaces that you play on, wickets around the world are so different from each other and have so many different types of challenges that you face as a batter so it can be tough to pump that average up but we don’t speak about numbers,” Markram said. “We just speak about making an impact on the game and there can be a time where scoring 60 or 70 is match-winning and then there will be times where big hundreds runs are match-winning.”In this series, the latter was the case. From Kyle Verreynne in Mirpur to de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Wiaan Mulder in Chittagong, South Africa’s wins were built on big runs which gave their attack a lot to work with. And while there is some sense in what Markram said in that an individual stacking up hundreds may not necessarily equate to a successful team, he also recognised the need for a collective progression in performance.”I’m certainly not too fazed about numbers and I don’t think the rest of the guys are either. It’s one of those things that will take care of itself if you put in good performances consistently. Naturally the numbers will lift. We’re all definitely striving towards that but trying to be more consistent and trying to have a good impact on the game.”With South Africa’s batters focused on the efficacy and not the amount of their runs, it was hardly surprising to hear the leader of their attack, Kagiso Rabada, also play down his own importance. Asked about being back at No.1 on the ICC rankings or taking 300 wickets in his post-match interview, Rabada glossed over that the game “moves on”.Aiden Markram believes South Africa have the players required to reach the WTC final•AFP/Getty Images”You have to keep working hard. don’t look at where I am on the rankings,” he said, acknowledging it is a “good motivator to keep going.” His highest praise was for his team-mates, who he said are all “willing to put their hands up,” to drive success.And they can see the rewards in front of them. Despite playing fewer Tests than almost anyone else in this cycle, they’re in with a chance of making the final. They see the potential to make that happen as brimming with possibility. “We don’t really know what the ceiling is because we haven’t managed to lift the trophy,” Markram said.That’s also one way of South Africa looking at their empty accolades cupboard and wondering whether it will ever fill up. They’ve taken the approach that the things they are capable of are still coming and this year has shown them that.They reached the final of the T20 World Cup in June and now their chance to reach the WTC final lies in their hands. It’s proof that something is working, that the talent pool is starting to play to their potential and that maybe, the impossible could become possible.”We believe that we have the players in the country to be able to do so but by no means will it be easy,” Markram said. “The journey itself has been incredibly difficult but worth the fight, worth the hours, worth the sacrifice. That’s pretty much how we see it.”