Surrey Head Groundsman Lee Fortis Placed on Leave After Altercation With ECB Employee
Lee Fortis, The Oval's long-serving head groundsman, has been placed on leave by Surrey County Cricket Club after a heated confrontation with an ECB employee on July 28, 2026. Fortis, in his role since 2012, won the ECB Grounds Manager of the Year award three times (2022-2024). This follows a past altercation with India coach Gautam Gambhir in July 2025.
Lee Fortis, the highly respected head groundsman at The Oval, has been placed on leave by Surrey County Cricket Club after an intense altercation with an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) employee, an incident that occurred on July 28, 2026. Fortis, a prominent figure in English cricket groundsmanship, has not been seen at the south London venue since, with his future at the club now uncertain. Phil Salt Birthday Special: Celebrating England's Explosive Opener's Career As RCB Batter Turns 30.
The confrontation reportedly took place during preparations for a Hundred match between MI London and London Spirit, with the ECB staff member, who was assisting Fortis, allegedly left in tears following the heated exchange. Shortly after, Surrey chief executive Steve Elworthy was observed having a "robust" discussion with Fortis on the pitch, which concluded with the groundsman departing the field. Surrey CCC has maintained a stance of confidentiality, issuing a statement that "Matters involving the Club and its employees are private and confidential, and therefore it would not be appropriate to comment."
Fortis's Acclaimed Career and Past Controversies
Fortis has been a cornerstone of The Oval's ground staff, serving as head groundsman since 2012. His tenure has been marked by significant success, including winning the ECB's Grounds Manager of the Year award for best multi-day pitches three consecutive times from 2022 to 2024. This period coincided with Surrey's impressive run of three successive County Championship titles.
However, Fortis is no stranger to controversy. In July 2025, he was involved in a widely reported altercation with India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, ahead of the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval. The disagreement arose when Fortis reportedly instructed Indian players to maintain a 2.5-meter distance from the main square during practice. This led to Gambhir famously telling Fortis, “You're just a groundsman, nothing beyond that.” India's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, subsequently labelled Fortis as "arrogant." Pakistan vs England Live Streaming Online and Free Telecast in India, 2nd Test 2026, Day 2.
Impact on Surrey and The Oval
The timing of Fortis's departure is particularly challenging for Surrey and The Oval. The venue is slated to host several high-profile fixtures in 2027, including the crucial fifth Ashes Test and the World Test Championship final. The absence of their experienced head groundsman places immense pressure on the club to ensure the iconic ground remains in peak condition for these major international events. Sources within English cricket suggest it is unlikely Fortis will return to his role.
The cricket world will be keenly watching to see how Surrey addresses this situation and who will step into the crucial role of preparing the prestigious Oval pitches, especially with such a demanding schedule on the horizon.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 28, 2026 03:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
