Remember the 2025 Gautam Gambhir-Oval groundsman spat? Lee Fortis leaves Surrey after disciplinary proceedings over ECB employee altercation
toi
newspoint|11-11-2026
NEW DELHI: Lee Fortis , who worked as Surrey's head groundsman for more than a decade, has left the club after facing disciplinary proceedings over his conduct.
The club had sent Fortis on indefinite leave in late July after he had an argument with an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) employee. The incident happened a day before MI London took on London Spirit in The Hundred at the Oval.
Fortis also had a strong exchange with Surrey chief executive Steve Elworthy, a former South Africa fast bowler, soon after the incident. He did not return to work for the rest of the summer.
Fortis joined Surrey in 2012. His LinkedIn profile now shows that he left the club in October and is "open to work".
A Surrey spokesperson told Telegraph Sport: "Lee Fortis has left the club and we wish him well for the future."
Fortis' earlier clash with Gautam Gambhir
Fortis had also been in the news in 2025 after an argument with India head coach Gautam Gambhir. The two had a disagreement over the Oval pitch. During the exchange, Gambhir told Fortis: "You’re just a groundsman, nothing beyond that."
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak later called Fortis "arrogant".
Fortis, who is around 6ft 10in tall, was a well-known face in English cricket. He became Surrey's head groundsman in 2012 at the age of 30. His work also brought him recognition. He won the top award at the ECB's Grounds Manager of the Year Awards three years in a row, from 2022 to 2024. Surrey won the County Championship in all three seasons.
What led to Fortis being placed on leave?
Fortis was known for speaking directly and firmly to his staff and other people at the Oval. The incident in July was not the first time he had been involved in a disagreement.
The Cricket Regulator was reported to have started an investigation into the matter. However, it did not comment when Telegraph Sport contacted it on Tuesday. The details and findings of the disciplinary proceedings have not been made public.
Surrey face search for new groundsman
Surrey will now have to find someone to take Fortis's place. The search comes at an important time for the club, with the Oval set to host two major Test matches next season.
The ground will stage the World Test Championship final in June, followed by the fifth Ashes Test in late July.
Surrey are expected to begin looking for a replacement in the coming weeks. Gary Barwell of Warwickshire is among the names being considered for the job.
The club also had a tough 2026 season. After finishing in the top two of the County Championship for four seasons in a row, Surrey found themselves fighting to stay in the division towards the end of the campaign.
There was also a change in the coaching staff. Gareth Batty left his role as head coach after five years and joined Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.
Surrey are looking for a new head coach, but Rory Burns is expected to remain captain for the 2027 season. It will be his 10th year as club captain.
The club had sent Fortis on indefinite leave in late July after he had an argument with an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) employee. The incident happened a day before MI London took on London Spirit in The Hundred at the Oval.
Fortis also had a strong exchange with Surrey chief executive Steve Elworthy, a former South Africa fast bowler, soon after the incident. He did not return to work for the rest of the summer.
Fortis joined Surrey in 2012. His LinkedIn profile now shows that he left the club in October and is "open to work".
A Surrey spokesperson told Telegraph Sport: "Lee Fortis has left the club and we wish him well for the future."
Fortis' earlier clash with Gautam Gambhir
Fortis had also been in the news in 2025 after an argument with India head coach Gautam Gambhir. The two had a disagreement over the Oval pitch. During the exchange, Gambhir told Fortis: "You’re just a groundsman, nothing beyond that."
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak later called Fortis "arrogant".
Fortis, who is around 6ft 10in tall, was a well-known face in English cricket. He became Surrey's head groundsman in 2012 at the age of 30. His work also brought him recognition. He won the top award at the ECB's Grounds Manager of the Year Awards three years in a row, from 2022 to 2024. Surrey won the County Championship in all three seasons.
What led to Fortis being placed on leave?
Fortis was known for speaking directly and firmly to his staff and other people at the Oval. The incident in July was not the first time he had been involved in a disagreement.
The Cricket Regulator was reported to have started an investigation into the matter. However, it did not comment when Telegraph Sport contacted it on Tuesday. The details and findings of the disciplinary proceedings have not been made public.
Surrey face search for new groundsman
Surrey will now have to find someone to take Fortis's place. The search comes at an important time for the club, with the Oval set to host two major Test matches next season.
The ground will stage the World Test Championship final in June, followed by the fifth Ashes Test in late July.
Surrey are expected to begin looking for a replacement in the coming weeks. Gary Barwell of Warwickshire is among the names being considered for the job.
The club also had a tough 2026 season. After finishing in the top two of the County Championship for four seasons in a row, Surrey found themselves fighting to stay in the division towards the end of the campaign.
There was also a change in the coaching staff. Gareth Batty left his role as head coach after five years and joined Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.
Surrey are looking for a new head coach, but Rory Burns is expected to remain captain for the 2027 season. It will be his 10th year as club captain.
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