Cricket West Indies has confirmed that “ongoing uncertainty” surrounding the charter flight organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) has prompted members of the West Indies squad to opt for commercial travel out of India.
In a statement from the board, released earlier on Tuesday, CWI insists the decision was taken “in the interest of the well-being and safety of its players and support staff” after the flight, which was also meant to transport the South African team, was “repeatedly delayed.”
CWI, its players, and other partners "coordinated with the ICC” to complete the arrangements. While some Windies players and staff have already departed India, the remaining members are scheduled to depart today, Tuesday, Mar. 10, and tomorrow, Wednesday, Mar. 11.
International airspace restrictions arising from security concerns in the Gulf region had left several teams stranded in India following their elimination from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, including the Caribbean side, who were knocked out at the Super Eight stage on Mar. 1.
The ICC had finally confirmed a Mar. 8 departure date for both the West Indies and South Africa, which was subsequently delayed.
The West Indies are now set to fly out from India early Tuesday morning after being left stranded in Kolkata since their elimination from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on March 1.
The International Cricket Council has secured a chartered flight that will first take the South African team to Johannesburg; from there, the Caribbean side will leave for Antigua. The departure date for both teams was previously set for Sunday, March 8.
"[We have] remained in constant dialogue with the players, team management, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) since their last match against India," CWI's last statement on the matter assured.
"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."
Zimbabwe and England are the other teams that were subjected to departure delays due to the ongoing military conflict in West Asia, which has led to airspace closure.
The English left Mumbai for London on Saturday evening.
Board insists players and staff are in the loop after Sammy posts
"I just wanna go home," West Indies head coach Daren Sammy shared on social media earlier on Thursday. The team has been stuck in Kolkata since their elimination from the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Sunday.
Airspace closure in West Asia due to ongoing military conflict means that the West Indies are one of a few teams unable to leave India. Sammy followed up his first post with, “At least an update, tell us something. Today, tomorrow, next week. It’s been five days."
Sri Lanka 121 for 1 (Perera 52*, Dulani 34*; Fletcher 1-14) beat West Indies 119 for 5 (Henry 32*, Dottin 28; Ranaweera 2-16) by 9 wickets
The West Indies suffered a 9-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in the 3rd Women’s T20I in St. George's, Grenada, on Tuesday, following another tame effort with the bat. The Caribbean side once again failed to score faster than a run-a-ball before the Sri Lankan openers scripted a comfortable win.
With 120 runs to get, Hasini Perera and player of the series Chamari Athapaththu once again laid a sturdy platform for the visiting team’s chase. The duo put on 49 runs (42 balls) for the first wicket before Athapaththu fell for a potential match-snatching 22-ball 32.
Perera (52*) was joined by Imesha Dulani (34*), and the pair shared in an unbroken 72-run 2nd wicket stand, which saw Sri Lanka home without much fuss with 14 balls to spare, at 121 for 1.
The opener has come under heavy criticism following his 33-ball 32
West Indies captain Shai Hope admits his innings against India in Sunday’s Super Eight encounter at the ICC T20 World Cup might have been the difference between the two teams in his side’s 5-wicket loss.
When asked if a more aggressive approach on his part could have resulted in the Caribbean side adding 15-20 runs to their first innings total of 195 for 4, the Barbadian replied, “Yes, that's my answer, yes.”
Hope hit three boundaries and a maximum before he was bowled by Varun Chakravarthy on 32 with the 33rd delivery that ended his innings. His wicket was the first to fall and left the West Indies 68 for 1 in the 9th over.
“It's one of those things; sometimes you just don't get the ball away,” Hope said. “As much as you’d love to come and hit every single ball for six, it doesn't happen.”
