ECB probing Brendon McCullum's 'relationship' with bookmaker 22Bet India

Brendon McCullum's relationship with bookmaker 22Bet India has been the subject of discussion between the England Cricket Board (ECB) and representatives of England's red-ball head coach after his appearances in advertisements incited controversy in New Zealand.

Many social media users, especially Youtube, had lodged complaints over the constant adverts involving McCullum until Google removed them on Tuesday, April 11, for violating the policies. Six months after being appointed England's red-ball head coach, McCullum's relationship with the Cyprus-based company was made public. 

With respect to McCullum's tie-up with the bookmarker, the England and Wales cricket board released the following statement, "We are currently exploring the matter, and [are] in discussions with Brendon around his relationship with the Cypriot-based betting company, 22Bet. We have rules in place around gambling and will always seek to ensure these are followed." 

The ECB's anti-corruption code states "participants" are prohibited 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."

The Problem Gambling Foundation lodged an official formal complaint to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) in New Zealand. Concerning the complaint, the DIA eventually disclosed that the adverts were misleading to quite an extent as they do not fall under New Zealand bookmaker nor does the DIA in New Zealand regulate them.

McCullum's agent, Simon Auteri, expressed his thoughts and told the Times Newspaper stating, "We are speaking to the ECB about this. I am not going to comment on anything. We are working through it."

After Emmanuel Adebayor, a former Arsenal football club forward, and Julio Cesar, a former Brazil coach, were named brand ambassadors for 22Bet, McCullum's partnership with the bookmaker came to light in January.

The 'BazBall' has revolutionised the game, particularly Test cricket, and the English juggernaut currently seems unstoppable. Before Robert Key, the managing director of England Men's Cricket announced McCullum's appointment, England appeared hopeless, having only won one of the previous 17 Test matches. With 10 out of 12 Test victories since taking over, McCullum and Stokes have pulled a rabbit out of their hats and have an 83.3% winning percentage. The first Ashes Test is set to begin on Friday, June 16, at Edgbaston in Birmingham.