NEW DELHI: West Indies players and support staff have returned home safely after being stranded in India after the T20 World Cup, Cricket West Indies (CWI) said, due to travel disruptions due to the West Asia conflict.The ongoing war between the US-Israel and Iran disrupted travel plans, with teams from the West Indies and South Africa stranded in Kolkata due to airspace and airport closures at major transit points such as Dubai.
West Indies played their last T20 World Cup match in Kolkata on March 1.The ICC announced on Thursday that the final batch of players has left.In a statement on Saturday, the CWI confirmed that all players and members of the Team Management Unit (TMU) who were part of the West Indies squad for the tournament have completed their journey and reached their respective destinations.“The last group of players and support staff completed their journey over the past several days and have now reached their respective destinations safely,” CWI said.While nine West Indies players left earlier this week, the remaining 16 were booked on commercial flights.The CWI thanked the ICC, regional cricket boards and other stakeholders for their support in the return of players and staff.“We also thank the West Indies fans and the wider cricket community for their concern and good wishes,” he said.“The welfare and safety of our players and staff is paramount, and we are grateful that the matter has now come to a safe and satisfactory conclusion.” The travel chaos has drawn criticism from some players with West Indies head coach Darren Sammy expressing frustration at the lack of updates from the ICC after a charter flight from Kolkata was canceled due to logistical issues. PTI
