The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are in discussions with Brendon McCullum over whether the Test coach’s appearance in betting adverts are in breach of anti-corruption rules.
McCullum, who took over the men’s side in May last year, partnered with Cyprus-based firm 22Bet in January, but his involvement has come under scrutiny in his homeland of New Zealand in recent weeks, following a campaign in which he promotes the company’s Indian Premier League (IPL) markets.
The adverts, which have appeared on McCullum’s own social media channels and on YouTube, have subsequently been blocked for users in New Zealand as the company is not licensed by the country’s gambling regulators.
The ECB’s anti-corruption code states that “participants” are prohibited both from themselves betting on matches and also from “directly or indirectly enticing, persuading, encouraging or facilitating any other party to enter into a bet in relation to the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any match or competition”.
“We are currently exploring the matter and in discussions with Brendon around his relationship with the Cypriot-based betting company, 22Bet,” the ECB said in a statement. “We have rules in place around gambling and will always seek to ensure these are followed.”
The body later clarified that McCullum, who has overseen a run of 10 wins in 12 Tests since taking up his post, is not under investigation.
Meanwhile, James Anderson took just three balls of his Lancashire return on Thursday to take his first wicket of the county season.
Anderson removed Essex opener Nick Browne in his first over of the day at Chelmsford, before trapping close friend and long-time international team-mate Alastair Cook lbw.
England ‘keeper Ben Foakes is missing from Surrey’s ongoing match against Hampshire at The Oval because of a back complaint, but the issue is said to be minor.
