The West Indies contingent that has been stuck in India over the past few days since the end of their T20 World Cup exercise will eventually be transported to their homeland using commercial flights. Cricket West Indies also reported that some of the players and staff had already left and others were to leave on March 10 and 11.
On March 1, West Indies played their last world cup match against India. They had been in India since then as the current crisis in the Gulf region had seen multiple airspaces shut or have had the operations severely limited. The South African team that lost their semifinal has also stayed in India, and England has made it back home.
Daren Sammy pleaded with the management on social media several times asking when they would come back. Other players like Akeal Hosein and Shimron Hetmyer also showed their displeasure about the timing. On February 28, the International Cricket Council released a statement stating that it had deployed contingency plans to assist the stakeholder safety and well-being as a result of the war.
“The safety and well-being of every individual connected to our event is the ICC’s highest priority. We have already mobilised our travel, logistics and security teams, and are working around the clock to ensure that all stakeholders can return home safely, with minimal disruption…,” the ICC said in a statement as quoted by Cricbuzz.
According to Cricket West Indies (CWI), plans were made for the players to fly home on commercial planes after the charter flight that was supposed to transport players from both SA and the WI was frequently delayed.
“After completing play, the West Indies squad remained in India for nine (9) days awaiting travel.However, ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ICC-organized charter, as a result of global tensions and aviation regulations, made the situation increasingly distressing,” said CWI in a statement.
“In the interest of the well-being and safety of its players and support staff, Cricket West Indies advised the ICC that it was no longer prudent to continue waiting on the charter arrangements, which remain uncertain. Multiple approaches have since been made through CWI, players, and other partners, in coordination with the ICC, to secure commercial travel to facilitate the squad’s safe return,” it added.
