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Surrey's head groundsman Lee Fortis has reportedly been sidelined from his role at The Oval after an altercation with an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) staff member. The member was spotted leaving the place in tears after the exchange of words with Fortis. Later, Fortis left The Oval and has never been seen on the ground again.
Fortis made headlines last year when the India National Cricket Team was in England. Fortis was involved in a verbal spat with the Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir. Now, if the reports are to be believed, then Lee Fortis has probably been dismissed from his role at the iconic English ground for the latest controversial episode.
Why are reports suggesting a permanent departure of Lee Fortis from The Oval?
International media reports suggested the incident unfolded during this year's The Hundred tournament, before July 28, the day before MI London and London Spirit trained ahead of their Hundred fixture at the Oval. It is assumed that the latest heated argument could be around the pitch preparations.
After the conversation between Lee Fortis and the ECB staff, Surrey chief executive Steve Elworthy walked into the middle and discussed something with Fortis. The discussion ended with Fortis leaving the ground. What was really discussed between them remains unknown; the Surrey cricket club also refused to reveal their internal matters publicly.
"Matters involving the Club and its employees are private and confidential, and therefore it would not be appropriate to comment," a Surrey spokesperson said in their response.
The departure of Lee Fortis could be a setback for the England cricket board
The departure of Fortis is considered to be a major setback for the Surrey cricket club and English cricket, as he is one of the most experienced groundsmen across the nation. With back-to-back fixtures, including domestic and international matches, pressure on each venue has increased significantly compared to before.
Experienced groundsmen need to prepare their respective grounds within a very limited amount of free space. Fortis, with his years of experience, was amongst the best in the business to do the job precisely. But the issue with Gautam Gambhir and now with the ECB staff raised serious questions about his temperament, which might have caused him to lose the job.
Lee Fortis is one of the most decorated groundsmen across England
In another incident, Lee Fortis was accused of another heated incident with a London Spirit's backroom staff. That incident is believed to be in connection with his recent unceremonious departure from the ground.
When he was only 30, he got the prestigious job at The Oval. Fortis got the job at The Oval in 2012; since then, he has served the ground. During his tenure, the 6ft 10in honoured with the ECB's Grounds Manager of the Year award three years running, from 2022 to 2024. It will be a huge task for the cricket governing body to find a replacement for Fortis, if they have dismissed him completely.
