Cricket greats under fire for 'supporting immigration policy'

Australian cricket greats Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee have been attacked on social media for signing cricket bats for Immigration Minister Scott Morrison.

The former fast bowlers' signatures were used by Mr Morrison to negotiate a deal the government made with India over 157 asylum seekers.

In securing the deal, Mr Morrison presented two Indian government ministers with the bats, which caused heated debate on various social media sites.

News Corp reported both sports stars were aware the signed bats were to be used to negotiate the deal.

McGrath hit back at the barrage of abuse by Tweeting, "I do support asylum seekers & have compassion for humanity. I have always tried to help people but I sign a bat & I'm labelled otherwise?!!".

Lee is yet to respond to the criticism.

Under the deal, India agreed to take back any nationals among the 157 seeking asylum in Australia.

Mr Morrison said those not taken by India will be sent to either Nauru or Manus Island.

"We are talking about people who are seeking to come to Australia from a safe country of India and the suggestion that they are anything other than economic migrants here I think defies belief and credibility and the Australian government is just not going to put up with that," he said.

Mr Morrison said the asylum seekers spent weeks at sea before arriving in waters off Western Australia.