Surrey head groundsman Lee Fortis placed on leave after altercation

Lee Fortis, the head groundsman at The Oval, has been placed on leave following a heated altercation with an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) employee. The incident occurred on July 28 during The Hundred, while the employee was assisting with pitch preparations for a match between MI London and London Spirit.

Following the confrontation, which reportedly left the ECB employee in tears, Surrey chief executive Steve Elworthy spoke with Fortis. The groundsman has not been seen at the venue since. A spokesperson for Surrey stated that matters involving the club and its employees are “private and confidential” and declined further comment.

Fortis has held the position at The Oval since 2012 and was a three-time winner of the ECB’s Grounds Manager of the Year Award from 2022 to 2024. His potential departure comes at a critical time, as Surrey faces major upcoming fixtures, including an Ashes Test and the ICC World Test Championship final.

This is not the first time Fortis has been involved in a public dispute; he previously gained attention for a confrontation with India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.