NEW DELHI: Lee Fortis, who worked as Surrey’s head groundsman for more than a decade, has left the club after facing disciplinary proceedings over his conduct.
Fortis joined Surrey in 2012.
His LinkedIn profile now shows that he left the club in October and is “open to work”. A Surrey spokesperson told Telegraph Sport: “Lee Fortis has left the club and we wish him well for the future.” The club had sent Fortis on indefinite leave in late July after he had an argument 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 had also been in the news in 2025 after an argument with India head coach Gautam Gambhir. The club also had a tough 2026 season. Surrey are looking for a new head coach, but Rory Burns is expected to remain captain for the 2027 season.
During the exchange, Gambhir told Fortis: “You’re just a groundsman, nothing beyond that. The two had a disagreement over the Oval pitch. After finishing in the top two of the County Championship for four seasons in a row, Surrey found themselves fighting to stay in the division towards the end of the campaign. There was also a change in the coaching staff. Gareth Batty left his role as head coach after five years and joined Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. It will be his 10th year as club captain.