Surrey County Cricket Club have parted ways with their long-serving head groundsman Lee Fortis after a controversial few months at The Oval. Lee Fortis, who was positioned on indefinite leave earlier this summer time, has now left the membership after more than a decade within the role.
The groundsman’s departure has also raised questions concerning the circumstances that led to the end of his association with the Surrey County Cricket Club.
Surrey parts ways with long-serving head groundsman Lee Fortis
Lee Fortis and Surrey County Cricket Club have parted ways at an vital time for Kennington’s well-known The Oval venue, which is gearing up to host two big Test matches next summer time.
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With the ICC World Test Championship last and the fifth Ashes Test scheduled at The Oval, Surrey will now should discover a new head groundsman to take charge of the pitch and ground preparations.
Fortis joined Surrey as head groundsman in 2012 and remained within the position for over these years. Nevertheless, the groundsman has lately updated his LinkedIn profile to show that he’s searching for a brand new job after his employment with the Surrey County Cricket Club ended last month.
Surrey has also confirmed Fortis’ departure however has not shared further details concerning the reasons behind the decision. A Surrey spokesperson was quoted as saying by Cricinfo, “Lee Fortis has left the membership, and we wish him properly for the long run.”
Heated argument with ECB worker behind Lee Fortis’ Surrey exit?
Because the state of affairs grew to become severe in July 2026 throughout a training session at The Oval ahead of a hundred-match between MI London and London Spirit. Fortis was involved in a heated argument with an worker of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
The incident was adopted by a powerful discussion with Surrey chief government Steve Elworthy. Initially, Surrey explained Fortis’ absence from his duties by saying that he had taken an uncommon break throughout the center of the season.
Nevertheless, reviews later steered that Fortis had been positioned on indefinite leave while disciplinary proceedings have been being thought of by the Surrey County Cricket Club. The membership has neither confirmed nor denied further details concerning the matter.
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Lee Fortis’ wonderful report and controversial Gautam Gambhir episode
Meanwhile, Lee Fortis had constructed a powerful reputation throughout his time at Surrey and was regularly praised by the membership’s director of cricket, Alec Stewart, for his wonderful work. During Fortis’ tenure, Surrey won three successive County Championship titles.
His largest achievement came when he won the Bernard Flack Memorial Trophy for producing the most effective multi-day pitches at the ECB Grounds Manager of the Yr awards for three consecutive years between 2022 and 2024.
Nevertheless, Fortis had also found himself within the headlines throughout India’s 2025 tour of England after a heated argument with the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir reportedly criticized Fortis throughout the disagreement, while India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak later described his habits as somewhat boastful.
Surrey searches for brand spanking new head Groundsman and men’s head coach
Now, Surrey might want to discover a new person to organize the taking part in floor for two of the most important matches scheduled at The Oval next summer time. The Oval will host the ICC World Test Championship last from June 9 to 13, adopted by the fifth Ashes Test from July 29 to August 2.
Aside from the groundsman’s position, Surrey can even have to discover a new head coach after Gareth Batty resigned to turn into an assistant coach with Chennai Super Kings.
Source: cricketaddictor.com
