South Africa stars Quinton de Kock and David Miller have criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for allegedly prioritising England’s travel arrangements, with the South Africa national cricket team and West Indies cricket team still waiting to return home amid global travel disruptions linked to tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
England, who were knocked out of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 after losing to the India national cricket team in the second semifinal on Thursday, departed from Mumbai on Saturday evening on a direct charter flight to London. In contrast, South Africa and West Indies remain stranded in India.
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West Indies were eliminated after a five-wicket defeat to India at Eden Gardens on March 1, while South Africa’s campaign ended with a loss to the New Zealand national cricket team in the first semifinal in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Both South Africa and West Indies are expected to travel together from Kolkata on a charter flight, although the exact departure time is yet to be confirmed. The flight is likely to leave on Sunday.
Expressing his frustration on social media, De Kock questioned why England were able to leave earlier.
“Funny ICC, we have heard nothing! Meanwhile England are leaving before us somehow? West Indies and South Africa are just in the dark. Strange how different teams have more pull than others,” he wrote on Instagram.
Miller echoed the sentiment, pointing out the contrast in travel arrangements.
“Funny that England gets eliminated after WI and SA and gets on a charter back home tonight, while WI and SA still wait for answers in Kolkata,” he commented on an ESPNcricinfo post.
West Indies head coach and former World Cup-winning captain Darren Sammy also weighed in, backing Miller’s remarks on social media.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan joined the debate as well, questioning the ICC’s decision to send England home ahead of the other teams.
“So England got knocked out on Thursday and get a charter home today, while West Indies went out last Sunday and are still in Kolkata, with South Africa in the same position. That’s where the power is all wrong,” Vaughan wrote on X, adding that all teams should be treated equally regardless of their influence within the ICC.
South Africa and West Indies are expected to fly first to Johannesburg, after which the Caribbean side will continue onward to Antigua. Meanwhile, a section of the South African contingent — including players Keshav Maharaj, Jason Smith and George Linde — will depart for New Zealand to prepare for a limited-overs tour beginning on March 15.
The tournament will conclude with the final between India and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
