The South Africa cricket team, which was stranded in India due to the international airspace closure, will begin flying home on Wednesday.
The ICC confirmed that the entire contingent will depart within the next 36 hours. South Africa, along with the West Indies cricket team, has been stranded in India because of conflict in the Middle East, as the ICC struggled to charter flights to repatriate them.
The England cricket team, which flew home two days after being beaten in the semi-finals, has prompted criticism of the ICC from the South Africa and West Indies camps.
The ICC said the criticism was ‘incorrect’ and provided an update on South Africa’s return. “On current arrangements, the South Africa contingent will begin departing for South Africa tonight, with all members expected to have departed within the next 36 hours,” it said.
“The ICC rejects any suggestion that these decisions have been driven by anything other than safety, feasibility and welfare. Throughout this period, the ICC’s overriding priority has been the safety and welfare of everyone affected,” it said.
“We will not move people until we are satisfied that the travel solution in place is safe, and that commitment will not change.”
The ICC also confirmed that nine members of the West Indies side are already on their way home, and the rest of the contingent have been booked flights to depart within 24 hours.
West Indies have remained in Kolkata since their loss in the Super 8s game against India at Eden Gardens on March 01, while South Africa has also been stuck in the city after their semifinal defeat on March 04.
It is also confirmed by Cricket West Indies that it booked commercial flights to take home its contingent in three groups.
Of the West Indies contingent, nine members are already travelling to the Caribbean, while the remaining 16 are booked on flights departing India within the next 24 hours. We will provide updates on further departures as confirmed arrangements are in place,” said the ICC statement.
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