Surrey head groundsman Lee Fortis placed on leave following altercation with ECB official

Surrey head groundsman Lee Fortis has been placed on leave following a reported altercation with an ECB employee at The Oval. The incident occurred on July 28, while preparations were being finalised for a fixture in The Hundred between MI London and London Spirit.

According to reports, the confrontation left the ECB staff member in tears. Shortly after the exchange, Surrey chief executive Steve Elworthy was observed on the pitch engaged in a firm discussion with Fortis. Following this interaction, the groundsman departed the playing area and has not returned to the venue since the incident took place.

This is not the first time Fortis has been involved in a high-profile dispute. Last year, he was at the centre of a heated confrontation with India head coach Gautam Gambhir during a Test match against England. The disagreement, which focused on the condition of the pitch, saw Gambhir reportedly tell the groundsman, “You’re just a groundsman, nothing beyond that.” India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, later characterised Fortis’s behaviour during that encounter as “arrogant.”

Standing approximately 6ft 10in tall, Fortis has become a prominent figure in English cricket circles. As the investigation into the latest incident continues, the groundsman remains away from his post at The Oval, leaving his future at the club in doubt.