England, SA, WI to leave India on ICC charter flights over weekend

England, South Africa and West Indies are set to depart India over the weekend on chartered flights arranged by the ICC following disruption to commercial air travel due to the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.

A source told the media that England, who went down to India in the second semifinal on Thursday, are expected to leave from Mumbai on Saturday evening on a direct flight to London.

West Indies and South Africa are the other two teams still in the country despite their campaigns having ended.

While the Windies were knocked out of the T20 World Cup after India defeated them by five wickets at the Eden Gardens on Sunday, South Africa’s campaign ended after their defeat to New Zealand here in the first semifinal on Wednesday.

Both South Africa and the West Indies will travel together from Kolkata on another charter flight.

The two sides are likely to fly first to Johannesburg before the West Indies contingent continues onward to Antigua. The exact departure time is yet to be confirmed but the flight is expected to leave on Sunday.

A section of the South African group, including members of the team management along with players Keshav Maharaj, Jason Smith and George Linde, will head to New Zealand on Sunday for a limited-overs tour beginning on March 15.

The Cricket West Indies had on Thursday confirmed that arrangements were being made for a charter flight to take the team back home after they remained stuck in the city for more than four days due to international airspace restrictions in the Gulf region.

“During a high-level call earlier today involving CWI, ICC officials, a representative of team management, and a representative of the players, it was confirmed that a charter flight is currently being arranged for the team’s departure from India, with the expected departure scheduled within the next 24 hours,” CWI had said in a statement.

“The departure time remains subject to final air traffic approvals. The team remains safe and well as arrangements continue to be finalized,” the governing body had added.

The CWI said it had been in constant touch with the players, team management and the International Cricket Council while working on travel arrangements.

“While the situation remains complex and fluid due to international airspace restrictions arising from security concerns in the Gulf region, CWI assures the public that every precaution is being taken to ensure the safe return of the team to the Caribbean,” the board had said.

The development had come hours after West Indies head coach Daren Sammy voiced his frustration over the delay on social media in a post that he “just wanna go home”.

Following the arrangement he had posted “Got an update. That’s all WI wanted.”