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Lee Fortis accused of 'double standards' as picture with Brendon McCullum goes viral: 'Very good reason why Poms are hated'
The pictures of The Oval chief curator Lee Fortis standing on the stadium's pitch with England coach Brendon McCullum are going viral after an intense verbal argument with Indian counterpart Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday. The fracas started after the Indian support staff were asked by Fortis to stay 2.5 metres away from the pitch during their inspection, revealed Indian batting coach Shitanshu Kotak.
Fortis has also been accused of yelling at one of the members of the Indian support staff team for carrying an ice box close to the pitch. Amid the accusations, multiple pictures of Fortis being quite lenient towards the England coach, McCullum, are going viral on social media.
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Oval curator accused of 'double standards' vs India
In one of the pictures, taken by cricket journalist Adam Collins in July 2023, McCullum and Fortis can be seen standing on the pitch two days before the fifth Ashes Test against England began at The Oval.
Brendon McCullum takes his first inspection at the pitch 48hrs out with The Oval's head groundsman Lee Fortis. Funnily enough, looks like every other pitch here in recent seasons. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/bGWALr1T4m — Adam Collins (@collinsadam) July 25, 2023
In another picture, Fortis can be seen sharing a laugh with McCullum and the England men's cricket team Managing Director, Rob Key, a day before India went to inspect the pitch.
Why did the Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis allow Brendon McCullum and Rob Key to step on the pitch WITHOUT any issues?
But the Curator put restrictions on Indian staff to stay away from the pitch at least 2.5 meters. pic.twitter.com/oluhVTKKsQ — Farrago Abdullah Parody (@abdullah_0mar) July 29, 2025
Kotak claimed that England's visit to inspect the pitch went swiftly as Fortis had no issues with where they were standing or what they did.
'That's what made it awkward. England's staff came in the day before in casual clothes and nobody told them where to stand or not stand,' Kotak said.
Kotak also pointed out that Fortis was arrogant in his behaviour while dealing with professionals.
'Curators need to understand that they're dealing with highly skilled, intelligent professionals. We're extremely careful around the pitch. No one had spikes on, and nothing was damaged,' Kotak said. 'You can be protective—but not to the point of arrogance.'
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'This isn't an antique that'll break if you touch it. Come match day, players will be diving and sliding all over that square.'
Indian fans slam Fortis on social media
Meanwhile, fans have accused Fortis of 'double standards' as they compared his behaviour with Gambhir and McCullum.
'Curator Lee Fortis & England coach Brendon McCullum standing on the pitch, today & during Ashes 2023 Take your double standards, hypocrisy & shove it in the place where the sun doesn't shines There is a very good reason why Poms are hated worldwide as being arrogant & hypocrites,' an Indian cricket fan wrote on X.
Another fan questioned: 'The Oval's chief curator Lee Fortis was telling Indian team & head coach #GautamGambhir to stay 2.5 metres away from this pitch. But Brendon McCullum was allowed to chill right on the middle of the pitch.'
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