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De Kock Slams ICC Over England's Early Flight Home After T20 WC Exit

South Africa's Quinton de Kock has publicly criticized the ICC on social media, questioning why England's team is departing India on Saturday while South Africa and the West Indies remain stuck in Kolkata awaiting confirmation. The teams are leaving on ICC-arranged charters due to air travel disruptions from military conflict in West Asia. Former England captain Michael Vaughan also condemned the disparity, stating all eliminated teams should be treated the same regardless of their influence. The situation arises after all three teams were knocked out of the T20 World Cup, with the final between India and New Zealand set for Sunday.

Key Points: De Kock, Vaughan Criticize ICC Over Team Departure Plans

  • De Kock criticizes ICC on social media
  • England departs Saturday, others delayed
  • Vaughan says all teams should be treated equally
  • Departures disrupted by West Asia air travel issues
3 min read

Quinton de Kock lashes out at ICC as England is heading back home ahead of them after T20 WC exit

Quinton de Kock and Michael Vaughan lash out at ICC as England departs India ahead of South Africa and West Indies after T20 World Cup exit.

"Strange how different teams have more pull than others - Quinton de Kock"

New Delhi, March 7

South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock lashed out at the International Cricket Council as England is set to head back home from India ahead of both South Africa and the West Indies on Saturday.

De Kock took to social media, saying it's "funny" that England is leaving before them, while West Indies and South Africa are still stuck in Kolkata.

"Funny @icc, we have heard nothing! Meanwhile, England are leaving before us somehow? @westindies and @proteasmencsa are just in the dark! Strange how different teams have more pull than others," wrote Quinton de Kock on Instagram Stories.

England, South Africa, and West Indies cricket teams are set to leave India this weekend on ICC-arranged charter flights due to the ongoing military conflict in West Asia disrupting air travel.

England's team is expected to depart from Mumbai Saturday evening for London, while South Africa and West Indies will fly together from Kolkata, likely stopping in Johannesburg before heading to Antigua.

South Africa and the West Indies are still awaiting confirmation on when exactly they will depart, but the understanding is that it will be on Sunday.

South Africa and West Indies cricket teams are stuck in Kolkata after their T20 World Cup exits. South Africa lost to New Zealand in the semi-finals on March 4, while the West Indies were eliminated after a five-wicket defeat to India in the Super Eights on March 1.

On the other hand, England faced defeat in the second semi-final on Thursday against India, but they are returning home on Saturday, just two days later.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan also raised questions on England's early departure from India, saying all teams in this situation should be treated the same.

"So England got knocked out on Thurs get a charter home today. West Indies go out last Sunday and are still in Kolkata. SA is in the same position. That's where the power is all wrong. All teams in this situation should be treated the same. Just because you are more powerful at the ICC table shouldn't count. #JustSaying," Vaughan wrote in an X post.

Earlier, West Indies coach Daren Sammy expressed his desire to go home amid the team's delayed departure from India due to international airspace restrictions arising from security concerns in the Gulf Region, owing to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict in the region. The two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain, in a simple four-word post on X, said, "I just wanna go home" on Thursday.

India is set to defend their title against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final on Sunday in Ahmedabad, bringing an end to the tournament that began on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone living in India, I can understand the logistical nightmare with airspace issues. But communication is key! The ICC should have been transparent with ALL teams from the start. Keeping players stranded without info is just unprofessional.
V
Vikram M
Michael Vaughan and de Kock both raising the same point. When even a former England captain says it's wrong, you know there's a problem. ICC needs to be fair to all cricket nations, not just the wealthy ones. Feel for the Windies and Proteas players.
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Priya S
This is embarrassing for world cricket. Teams have families waiting for them. "I just wanna go home" from Sammy says it all. The BCCI and Indian authorities hosted the tournament well, but the ICC's exit management is a fail. Hope they sort it out quickly!
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Rohit P
While I agree fairness is important, let's not jump to conclusions. There might be genuine routing or diplomatic reasons why England's flight from Mumbai was arranged first. Kolkata to the Caribbean is a much longer, complex route with current airspace closures. Still, ICC should explain.
D
David E
The power dynamics at the ICC have been an open secret for years. It's sad to see it play out like this in a difficult situation. Sports should bring people together, not highlight these inequalities. Hope all the players get home safe soon.

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