The final batch of players from South Africa and the West Indies have left India after being stranded for more than a week following the T20 World Cup, cricket’s governing body said on Thursday. The International Cricket Council (ICC) said that in the last 24 hours, South Africa’s remaining 29 members and the West Indies’ final 16 members have departed on flights to their respective homelands.
This brings to a close a complex operation that has taken place under exceptionally challenging global travel conditions, according to the ICC. The two teams were initially scheduled to leave India shortly after their exit from the tournament, but their departure was delayed due to the chaos in international air travel caused by the war in the Middle East.
Travel Delays and Challenges
The uncertainty surrounding their return was described as “increasingly distressing” by Cricket West Indies, which pointed to “continued delays with charter flight arrangements organised by the ICC”. The two-time champions exited the competition on 1 March, while South Africa’s World Cup ended on 4 March after their semi-final defeat by New Zealand.
The ICC has previously stated that it is committed to ensuring the safe and timely travel of all players and officials. However, the recent delays have raised questions about the council’s ability to handle complex logistical operations.
Impact on the Teams
The delays have had a significant impact on the teams, with many players expressing their frustration and disappointment on social media. The South African team, in particular, has had to deal with the added pressure of returning home after a disappointing semi-final exit.
Here are some key facts about the situation:
- 29 South African players and 16 West Indian players were stranded in India for over a week
- The delays were caused by chaos in international air travel due to the war in the Middle East
- The ICC has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, with some accusing the council of bias
Despite the challenges, the ICC has maintained that it has done everything in its power to ensure the safe and timely travel of all players and officials. The council has also rejected suggestions of bias, citing the fact that all teams were affected by the travel disruptions.
