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South Africa and West Indies teams stranded in Kolkata will fly home on March 10. South African players will head to New Zealand for a T20I series.
South Africa, West Indies teams to leave Indai on March 10 (AP)
Days after being stranded in Kolkata, the South Africa and West Indies teams are set to fly back home. Meanwhile, three South African players – Keshav Maharaj, Jason Smith and George Linde, along with the entire team management, will head to New Zealand on March 8, to play a five-match T20I series starting on March 15.
According to ESPN Cricinfo, West Indies and South Africa will leave in the early hours of Tuesday, March 10, on a charter flight to Johannesburg, with the Windies travelling on to Antigua from there.
The changing travel plans, caused by airspaces being closed or limited in West Asia following the crisis, have caused unhappiness in both camps.
The West Indies have been stationed in Kolkata since their defeat to India in the Super Eight on March 1, while the South African team has remained in the city following their semi-final loss to New Zealand on March 4. West Indies coach Daren Sammy has expressed his frustration on X, while South African players, including Quinton de Kock and David Miller, have shared their concerns on Instagram.
On Thursday, there were indications that a charter flight for the West Indies might be arranged, but the plan did not materialise. A CWI statement later that day indicated that confirmation had been received after ‘a high-level call’ on Thursday involving representatives from CWI, ICC officials, the team management, and the players.
“CWI has remained in constant dialogue with the players, team management, and the International Cricket Council since their last match against India,” the statement said. “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 England squad departed Mumbai on Saturday evening, heading straight to London.
March 08, 2026, 17:50 IST
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