Last year, Fortis claimed his fourth award -- third in a row -- for the best multi-day pitches at the England and Wales Cricket Board 2024 Grounds Manager of the Year Awards.

Gautam Gambhir clashed with Oval curator Lee Fortis during India’s practice after being told to stay off the pitch. Outrage erupted as old images showed Fortis on the pitch with England coach Brendon McCullum during the Ashes,

A brief but heated exchange between India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and The Oval’s pitch curator Lee Fortis ahead of the fifth and final Test against England drew attention on the eve of the match in London.