ICC Addresses Travel Controversy as West Indies and South Africa Struggle Home
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has dismissed allegations of preferential treatment towards England amid travel disruptions affecting the West Indies and South Africa following their exits from the T20 World Cup. The West Indies have been stranded in Kolkata since their elimination on March 1, facing delays in returning to the Caribbean due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In contrast, England returned home after their semi-final exit on March 5. The ICC stated that the travel delays experienced by the West Indies and South Africa stem from the crisis impacting major transit hubs in the Gulf region. The ICC's statement emphasized: Safety and welfare as top priorities. No connection between travel arrangements for England and those for South Africa or the West Indies. Decisions were based on separate circumstances and routing options. Cricket West Indies expressed concern over the "increasingly distressing" situation, urging the ICC to expedite travel arrangements. They noted that ongoing uncertainties around ICC-organized charters due to global tensions have made the wait untenable. As a result, multiple attempts were made to secure commercial flights for the players and staff. On Wednesday, the ICC confirmed that some members of both teams had begun to leave India. Specifically: Four players from South Africa and five family members have boarded flights. Nine West Indies members have already departed, with 16 more scheduled to leave in the next 12 hours.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-03-11