Sir Paul Getty dies

Sir Paul Getty, the owner of Wisden and its associated companies, died earlier today in the London Clinic. He was 70, and had been ill for some time. He was admitted to hospital on Monday for treatment to a recurrent chest infection, but died on Thursday morning, according to Dr John Goldstone, his consultant.

In a short statement issued on behalf of the Getty family and the London Clinic, Dr Goldstone said: "Sadly Sir Paul passed away at 10.40am today. His family would like to extend their thanks to all those who have expressed their sympathy, which is greatly appreciated."

Despite his American roots Sir Paul Getty had been happily settled in England for many years, during which time his passions - which included films, the theatre and books - expanded to include cricket. He established a beautiful ground of his own at Wormsley, his country estate in Buckinghamshire. In 1993 he acquired John Wisden, the company that produces Wisden Cricketers' Almanack each year, and he also retained a controlling interest in Wisden Cricket Monthly magazine and the Wisden CricInfo website.

All at Wisden are extremely saddened to hear the news, and have passed their condolences to the Getty family.