UPDATED 8.16PM A former West Indies cricketer has been booted out of the country.

The Immigration Department has confirmed Franklyn Rose, who played 19 test matches for the West Indies was deported on a 6pm flight to Jamaica.

His legal representative Ramya Sathyanathan said a last minute request was sent to suspend the deportation pending consideration of Mr Rose's humanitarian circumstances.

She says he suffered depression, which he claimed was made worse by being detained in Mount Eden Prison for the past five weeks.

Mr Rose was originally granted a work visa when he was offered a position as coach for the University of Auckland Cricket club, but hasn't had a valid visa since 2012.

In the interim he's worked as a volunteer cricket coach at a number of Auckland schools and with the Salvation Army.

Meanwhile, the Immigration Minister has welcomed figures showing the number of overstayers in the country is at its lowest level this century.

Latest estimates puts the number of overstayers at 10,848 - a considerable decrease of more than 1300 on the previous estimate of 12,162 in October 2014.

Michael Woodhouse claimed improved security at the border and decisive action to deal with overstayers had paid off.

"Better risk profiling during the visa application process, combined with an increased focus on encouraging overstayers to settle their affairs, pay their own costs for departure and leave New Zealand voluntarily has also contributed to the significant decrease in numbers."