McCullum lands in soup due to his association with bookmaker 22Bet India

Brendon McCullum could land in trouble as the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is currently investigating a possible breach of its anti-corruption policy. The England Test head coach is under scrutiny due to his relationship with a bookmaker 22Bet India.

McCullum's deal was announced in November 2022, six months after he was appointed as the head coach of the side. However, advertisments all over YouTube and McCullum's social media handles have come under the radar, especially back home in New Zealand.

"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 issued a statement regarding the matter. 

The ECB anti-corruption clearly states that those employed under them not allowed to "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 speaking to the ECB about this. I am not going to comment on anything. We are working through it," McCullum's agent Simon Auteri told the Times. 

Since taking over as the head coach of the England Test side, the McCullum-Ben Stokes combination has been at its dominating best winning 10 out of the 12 games. Before that, England had managed just one win from 17 Tests.

McCullum is currently at home but will return to England ahead of the one-off Test against Ireland starting June 1.