Lee Fortis, who served as Surrey's head groundsman for over a decade, has departed from the club following disciplinary proceedings stemming from an altercation with an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) employee. The incident occurred in late July, just a day before MI London faced London Spirit in The Hundred at The Oval. Fortis was subsequently placed on indefinite leave and did not return to work for the remainder of the summer. His departure was confirmed by a Surrey spokesperson, who wished him well for the future, as Fortis's LinkedIn profile now indicates he is "open to work."

Fortis's tenure at Surrey was marked by significant achievements, including winning the ECB Grounds Manager of the Year award for three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024, during which Surrey also clinched the County Championship title each season. However, his time at the club was marred by controversies, including a notable clash with India head coach Gautam Gambhir during the 2025 Test series. This confrontation arose during an Indian training session when Gambhir criticized Fortis for his handling of the pitch and equipment, leading to a heated exchange that was caught on camera.S1S2

The disciplinary proceedings that led to Fortis's departure have not been made public, and while the Cricket Regulator reportedly initiated an investigation into the July incident, they have not commented on the findings. Fortis's exit comes at a crucial time for Surrey, which is preparing to host the World Test Championship final in June 2027 and the fifth Ashes Test later that summer. The club is now tasked with finding a replacement for Fortis, with Gary Barwell of Warwickshire being mentioned as a potential candidate.S1S2