South Africa team, stranded in India, to fly home from Wednesday

2026-03-11 - 10:14

South Africa’s cricket team, stranded in India because of international airspace closure, will ​begin to fly home on Wednesday, with the ‌entire contingent departing in the next 36 hours, the International Cricket Council said. They are one of several including West Indies ​stuck because of conflict in the Middle East long ​after their Twenty20 World Cup campaigns ended while ⁠the ICC struggled to charter flights to repatriate them. England ​flew home two days after being beaten in the ​semi-finals, prompting criticism of the ICC from the South African and West Indian camps. The ICC, in a statement on Wednesday, 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.” Cricket ⁠West ​Indies said on Tuesday it ​had booked commercial flights to take home its contingent in three groups.