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Lee Fortis leaves Surrey after disciplinary proceedings over ECB incident

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 11, 2026, 8:33 AM

Last updated Nov 11, 2026

Lee Fortis leaves Surrey after disciplinary proceedings over ECB incident

Summary

Lee Fortis has departed from his position as Surrey's head groundsman following disciplinary proceedings related to a conflict with an ECB employee. The disagreement occurred shortly before a match at the Oval. Fortis faced criticism from India head coach Gautam Gambhir during a previous incident involving the pitch. Fortis had been with Surrey since 2012 and is now seeking new employment. Surrey plans to start the search for a replacement soon, as the Oval will host significant Test matches next season.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Fortis had worked at Surrey for over a decade.
•He was placed on indefinite leave in July following the incident.
•Surrey has won the County Championship during Fortis's tenure.
•The club is seeking a new groundsman as major matches approach.
•Gareth Batty has left his role as head coach after five years.

Latest Updates

8:33 AMYahoo Sports — Remember the 2025 Gautam Gambhir-Oval groundsman spat? Lee Fortis leaves Surrey after disciplinary proceedings over ECB employee altercation

What they're saying

"
Lee Fortis had also been in the news in 2025 after an argument with India head coach Gautam Gambhir. The two had a disagreement over the Oval pitch. During the exchange, Gambhir told Fortis: "You’re just a groundsman, nothing beyond that." India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak later called Fortis "arrogant".
— Yahoo Sports

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