Former West Indies cricketer Franklyn Rose who is said to be suffering from Depression has been deported to Jamaica after New Zealand Immigration Minister Craig Foss refused to allow him to stay in New Zealand.

Rose, who moved to New Zealand in 2011, had spent the last five weeks imprisoned at central Auckland's Mt Eden Prison.

Rose's lawyer, Ramya Sathiyanathan, said the minister had declined a "special direction" order based on "humanitarian circumstances" which would have stayed Tuesday(April 12) night's deportation.

Sathiyanathan said her "distressed" client suffered from depression, which was worsened by his Mt Eden detention.

The immediate reason for his stay in the prison is unknown although it is understood that it was because he did not comply with the immigration law of New Zealand.

It has been reported that Rose was originally granted a work visa when he was offered a position as a coach for the University of Auckland's Cricket Club - but had not had a valid visa since 2012. In the interim he had worked as a volunteer cricket coach at a number of Auckland schools.

Rose's lawyer is trying her best to garner support of the West Indian community in New Zealand since he faces an uncertain future with his distant family back home in Jamaica.

The showy fast bowler played 19 tests and 27 one-day internationals for the West Indies after making his debut in 1997.