Remember the Gautam Gambhir-Oval ground-base spat in 2025? Lee Fortis to leave Surrey following disciplinary action over ECB staff row

Lee Fortis and Gautam Gambhir (Image credit: Agencies) NEW DELHI: Lee Fortis, who worked as Surrey’s main ground player for more than a decade, has left the club after facing disciplinary action over his conduct.The club put Fortis on indefinite leave at the end of July after falling out 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 African fast bowler, shortly 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 he left the club in October and is “open to work”.A Surrey spokesman told Telegraph Sport: “Lee Fortis has left the club and we wish him well for the future.”

Earlier Fortis clash with Gautam Gambhir

Fortis was also in the news in 2025 after falling out with India head coach Gautam Gambhir. The two disagreed about the oval pitch. During the exchange, Gambhir told Fortis, “You are just a groundskeeper, nothing more.”Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak later called Fortis “arrogant”.Fortis, who is about 6 feet 10 inches tall, has been a familiar face in English cricket. In 2012, at the age of 30, he became Surrey’s chief groundsman. His work also brought him recognition. Three years in a row, from 2022 to 2024, he won the top prize in the ECB’s Grounds Manager of the Year Awards. Surrey won the County Championship in all three seasons.

What led to Fortis taking time off?

Fortis was known to speak 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 has reportedly launched an investigation into the matter. She had no comment when contacted by Telegraph Sport on Tuesday. The details and conclusions of the disciplinary proceedings have not been made public.

Surrey is looking for a new ground worker

Surrey will now have to find someone to take Fortis’ place. The search comes at an important time for the club as the Oval will host two major Test matches next season.The ground will host the final of the World Test Championship in June, followed by the fifth Ashes Test in late July.Surrey are expected to begin their search for a replacement in the coming weeks. Warwickshire’s Gary Barwell is among the names being considered for the job.The club also had a difficult season in 2026. After finishing in the top two county championships for four consecutive seasons, Surrey found themselves fighting to stay in the division towards the end of the campaign.There was also a change in the coaching position. Gareth Batty has left his role as head coach after five years to join Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.Surrey are looking for a new head coach, but Rory Burns is expected to remain as captain for the 2027 season, which will be his tenth year as club captain.