“Departure details for both West Indies and South Africa national cricket team are still awaited,” a Cricket Association of Bengal official said to PTI. However, four South African players are expected to leave for New Zealand on Friday night ahead of their upcoming bilateral series.
The West Indies were eliminated from the tournament after losing to the India national cricket team by five wickets at the Eden Gardens on Sunday. South Africa’s campaign also ended in Kolkata after their semifinal defeat to New Zealand national cricket team on Wednesday.The Proteas are scheduled to face New Zealand in a five-match T20I series starting March 15, but it remains unclear when the rest of the squad will be able to leave the city. Meanwhile, Cricket West Indies confirmed on Thursday that efforts are underway to arrange a charter flight once the necessary international flight permissions are granted.
“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.” It is likely that some of the West Indies players will stay back to join their respective IPL franchises. The IPL is slated to begin this month-end.
Rovman Powell is part of Kolkata Knight Riders, whose camp begins on March 18, while Sherfane Rutherford represents Mumbai Indians.
Shimron Hetmyer plays for Rajasthan Royals and Romario Shepherd is with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who are expected to start training from March 15.
Zimbabwe players who were also stranded in India due to the same reason have begun returning home in batches after the ICC arranged alternative travel routes via Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
(With PTI inputs)
