Travel in the region has been severely affected by the conflict, which has included reported attacks on Dubai airport, one of the world’s largest international transport hubs. The England cricket board has also postponed a planned training camp for the national women’s team in Dubai.
England’s captain Ben Stokes, pcitured in Sydney, and former captain Andrew Flintoff are in Abu Dhabi serving as coaches with the England Lions team, where a scheduled game against a Pakistan A side has been postponed.Credit: Getty Images
“The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority,” a statement from the ECB read. “We are in contact with security experts and the government in relation to current events in the Middle East, and are following official advice.
“Tomorrow’s second 50-over game between England Men’s Lions and Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi will no longer go ahead, and we are delaying the departure of England Women for their proposed trip to Abu Dhabi next week.
“We will continue to monitor and assess the situation and official advice in relation to the future of these trips. England Men will travel to Mumbai for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final as planned.”
Travel routes out of India towards Europe have also been affected. A large number of flights were cancelled on Saturday out of Mumbai, Delhi and other major Indian centres.
Air India was reportedly seeking clearance to use Chinese airspace to avoid flying over Pakistan and Iraq. Pakistan and India are both due to begin their annual franchise Twenty20 tournaments, the PSL and IPL, later this month after the World Cup concludes.
The International Cricket Council issued a statement overnight that it had set in motion contingency arrangements around the closing week of the Twenty20 World Cup, which has four matches remaining, including the two semi-finals and final.
“ICC acknowledges that a significant number of personnel – including players, team management, match officials, broadcast teams, and event staff – rely on Gulf hub airports, particularly Dubai, as key transit points for onward travel to their home countries upon concluding their commitments at the event,” the ICC said.
“The safety and well-being of every individual connected to our event is the ICC’s highest priority. We have already mobilised our travel, logistics and security teams, and are working around the clock to ensure that all stakeholders can return home safely, with minimal disruption.“
Australia were knocked out of the T20 World Cup early on but numerous Australians have been involved in the event as broadcasters, both production staff and as commentators, including Aaron Finch, Matthew Hayden and Mark Howard.
Meanwhile, Formula 1 teams and staff are scrambling to make alternative travel arrangements to get to Australia for the opening race of the season. The Albert Park race weekend commences on March 5 but some staff for motorsport governing body FIA and F1 team members are still in Bahrain for pre-season testing. Other teams and drivers remain scattered in Monaco, London and other parts of Europe.
”Formula 1 management have informed us that travel arrangements are being worked through for the teams and Formula 1 employees,” an Australian Grand Prix Corporation spokesperson said.
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