LONDON: England Test coach Brendon McCullum has been cleared by the England and Wales Cricket Board of breaching its anti-corruption code and will face no further action over his involvement with an online betting business.

Reports said the New Ze­a­lander had stepped ba­ck from his commercial role with 22Bet, a Cyprus-regis­tered bookmaker for whom he has appeared in several online advertisements.

Last month, a video was posted on McCullum’s official Facebook page showing him promoting the company’s Indian Premier League markets ahead of the season.

Players, coaches and officials taking part in or enco­uraging betting on matches is prohibited under the ECB code, prompting the governing body to announce it was “exploring” McCu­llum’s links with 22Bet.

But the ECB announced on Wednesday that McCu­llum had done nothing contrary to the code, which does not prevent players or officials from becoming brand ambassadors for betting organisations.

An ECB spokesman said: “Discussions have been ongoing with Brendon over the last few days, and the matter has been considered from an employer and regulator perspective.

“We can confirm that no further action will be taken.”

It is understood McCul­lum, who has won 10 of 12 matches and been credited with revolutionising Engl­and’s Test side alongside captain Ben Stokes, will consult with the ECB before undertaking any future work with 22Bet.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

High troop losses
Updated 24 Dec, 2024

High troop losses

Continuing terror attacks show that our counterterrorism measures need a revamp. Localised IBOs appear to be a sound and available option.
Energy conundrum
24 Dec, 2024

Energy conundrum

THE onset of cold weather in the country has brought with it a familiar woe: a severe shortage of piped gas for...
Positive cricket change
24 Dec, 2024

Positive cricket change

HEADING into their Champions Trophy title defence, Pakistan are hitting the right notes. Mohammad Rizwan’s charges...
Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...