Ex-Windies Test star facing deportation

Former West Indies cricketer Franklyn Rose is set to be deported from New Zealand despite last-minute appeals for a suspension of deportation on humanitarian grounds.

A right-arm fast bowler who generated good outswing, Rose played 19 Tests for the West Indies between 1997 and 2000, taking 53 wickets at 30.88.

He was granted a work visa after being offered a position as coach at Auckland University Cricket Club, but hasn't held a valid visa since 2012.

Rose, 44, has been held at Mt Eden Prison for the past five weeks.

His deportation has been appealed to Minister of Immigration Craig Foss on humanitarian grounds, but he had declined to intervene, Rose's lawyer, Ramya Sathiyanathan, said.

She told NZ Newswire there had been strong support for Rose to stay in New Zealand.

"I've had numerous calls from people wanting to support him, who are trying to get in touch with the Minister to get him to act," Sathiyanathan said.

"People are wanting to support him financially.

"The Minister refused to intervene – we tried to get him to reconsider his decision, but we were running against the clock."

Rose's career-best haul of 7-84 came in Durban against South Africa. His only other five-wicket haul was 6-100 on debut against India in Kingston, which earned him man of the match honours.

He also had one Test fifty, a high score of 69 batting at No.9 against Zimbabwe in Jamaica. He also played 27 one-day internationals for the Windies.