The threat of deportation has been temporarily lifted for a former West Indies and Worcestershire cricketer who has lived in Britain for 30 years, his MP said yesterday.
Fast bowler Hartley Alleyne, 50, played first-class cricket for his native Barbados, Kent and Natal as well as Worcestershire, from 1978 to 1990 before coaching youngsters.
He was employed as a resident boarding assistant and sports coach at St Edmund's School in Canterbury, Kent, in 2005 and applied for a work permit.
But Mr Alleyne, who has lived in Britain since 1978, said his application was turned down because he did not hold an NVQ level three certificate.
He later obtained the qualification in sports coaching to satisfy the Home Office but then learned that his appeal for a work permit had been rejected.
It left him facing deportation to Barbados, away from his English wife and two young children who live in Liverpool and his grown-up daughter in London.
Canterbury MP Julian Brazier (Con) said the Home Office has agreed he can stay in the UK for a further three years following a review of his case.
Mr Alleyne can then apply for an extension of another three years, by which time he should qualify for citizenship.
Mr Alleyne said: "This is like winning the Lotto."
