Vinay passed away on Sunday night when watching a World Cup match on TV. He had a heart attack and the end was peaceful.
We spent many, many hours discussing the game seriously, but with a lot of fun.
He called me Nostradamus after I had predicted in the SCG Press Box in 2006 that Ricky Ponting will score centuries in both innings in his 100th Test.
I called him Cardus because his poetic elegant style reminded me of Neville Cardus. I admired his original metaphors and called them “Vinayisms”.
Vinay’s command of the English language, his knowledge of the finer points of cricket, and technical expertise would have made him an exceptionally good cricket commentator on radio or television.
I had frequently urged him to push ahead with it because of his fluency and clarity in speaking and, of course, his immense knowledge, but it was not to be.
Previously, we had met frequently at matches at the SCG and became close friends during the 2009 Women’s World Cup at North Sydney Oval.
But it was The Roar which brought us really close. We would discuss cricket endlessly over the phone and via email. He wrote prolifically and with passion.
He lamented the fall of Australian Test cricket from No. 1 to the No. 5 position and wanted Cricket Australia to think more of Sheffield Shield and Test cricket and less of earning dollars with meaningless matches.
At times he was critical, but his criticism was constructive.
Some of his Roar columns should be bound together in a book form as he made a lot of sense.
He did not restrict writing for The Roar only, where he penned thought-provoking articles on cricket, hockey, golf and rugby.
His intimate interviews with Kevin Pietersen, Virender Sehwag, Wasim Akram and Sunil Gavaskar appeared in mainstream publications like The Advertiser (Adelaide), Inside Cricket, Inside Sport, Onlooker and India Today, among other international magazines.
He wrote a biography on Kapil Dev in 1980s and a volume on poetry. His second volume of poems should be out this month.
From 1970s to 90s he had played representative cricket with Roseville Cricket Club as an off-spinner. To bowl 30 overs a day was routine for him.
Vinay will be remembered for his magnificently edited on-line monthly magazine “Seriously Cricket Chronicles” (2009 till now), with contributions from eminent writers Mike Coward, Gideon Haigh and Ayaz Memon.
This was cricket writing at its best.
To quote Sheek from The Roar: “Vinay touched my life so briefly and yet so deeply. I knew him personally for less than a year, but it could easily have been a lifetime.”
Sheek and I had met him only last Thursday at the Australian Cricket Society meeting and later we had discussions on ways to improve Australian cricket.
We had no idea this would be our last time together.
After playing a Legends match at Roseville Cricket Club on Sunday, he was watching the England against South Africa match on TV when he suddenly died of heart attack.
What a way to go, Vinay, watching cricket!
You had reached the acme of your writing career this year. I will miss you my friend and our long telephonic cricket discussions.
Vinay is survived by wife Patricia, son Paul (a noted musician), and daughter Laura.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
John and Pushpa Hillman
Guest
Just came across this news on your website about Vinay Verma. He and his wife were very good friends of ours. We lost touch when we left Australia in 1996 and returned to the UK. Our deepest sympathies to Pat, Paul and Laura. May he rest in peace.
Mart
Guest
For my 2 cents worth, this man was quite simply a gentleman in the way that the phrase 'English gentleman' used to really mean something in days long since passed. Beautiful writer no question, but first and foremost a gentleman. What a strange irony that he passed on doing someting he loved (viewing cricket) but never got to see the 'business end' of the tournament he was watching. God's little joke I suppose. I'm grateful for his beautiful prose and love of a written joust - but always sone with the correct sense of decorum and decency. Many others (especially journos) could learn heaps from Vinay on that score. Sleep well Vinay, and thanks so much for the hugely enjoyable writing, it was a pleasure and privilage to read your Roar entries.....
Ifsit
Guest
One less rah rah at the rah.
Plasmodium
Guest
Everybody loved reading Vinay. He didn't have a mean bone in his body. Whenever somebody took him to task he always replied like the gentleman he was. I'm greatly sorry I wasn't lucky enough to meet him.
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Greg A pleasure to hear from you again. I was actually thinking of you a few days after the earthquake struck Christchurch, knowing that you reside there now and hoping that you and your family were ok. Glad that you're still with us even if you're now making an honest man of yourself and have no spare time to contribute to the Roar (ha, ha). Sam
Greg Russell
Roar Guru
Once upon a time I was a man of more leisure and could write articles for The Roar. One day, in my "voice of reason" way, I found myself in an inane rugby argument with an infuriarting bundle of goods call Hammer. And suddenly this guy calls Vinay Verma pops up and writes "I christen you Tongs". Thus did Vinay enter my life. Around about the same time, Brett achieved the near impossible and somehow managed to offend Vinay with a comment. So I stepped in and assured the newcomer that insofar as I knew Brett, he certainly was not a person who ever intended to cause offence. There were apologies all round, and another friendship was born. What struck me about these first forays of Vinay into Roar-land was how impeccably polite, almost obsequious, his postings were. I remember thinking he wouldn't last long. Not for the first time in my life, I was wrong (although it must be said that Vinay's comment-making style rapidly became more rough and ready!). And so now I'm looking back over some of the emails we exchanged over the last two years. I will share two very recent gems. One was prompted by Vinay's Inside Cricket article on Sehwag. I expressed my admiration for Viru, and said I was pretty amazed that Vinay had interviewed him in the flesh. The following reply came back: "Make the SCG Test in 2012 and we can have a meal with Viru!" Having read Brett's description of lunching with Ian Botham and Michael Holding, it is likely that Vinay's offer was not as outrageous as I thought it was. The second was from a World Cup preview Vinay wrote for All Sports. He slipped in the line "[Bernard] will, like Ponting, be stepping down from his role after this World Cup". My line of work is all about noticing hidden stories like this. So I emailed Vinay that I like to think I follow Australian cricket news very closely, but I was not aware of any announcement of Ponting standing down from the Australian one-day captaincy. Immediately I received the reply "Not official, but I have it on good authority ..." So when it happens, just remember that you heard it first from Vinay. And now I find another recent email from Vinay that contained an Adelaide Advertiser article and simply read: "And we give thanks for our daily bread!". Indeed, we do give the happiest of thanks for Vinay.
dunc
Guest
As a closet cricket tragic and admirer of excellent writing, I am deeply saddened. My thoughts are with his family. Vinay, thanks for the passion and the insight. And thanks for replying to my posts. A true gentleman.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
I am away traveling around NSW and Vic this week, so I don't get to check in as often as usual. As such I have only just heard the news of Vinay's passing. It has come as quite a shock. I always loved his comments and articles; cricket, and the Roar, has lost a true friend. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
I echo Brett's sentiments, dear Laura. Best wishes and strength to Mum, Paul and family.
Brett McKay
Guest
Laura, it's great to hear from you, and Patricia, Paul and yourself should be very proud of the man we all on The Roar only got to know briefly, and in most case indirectly. Our thoughts and best wishes for you and the family is the least we can do in memory of such a remarkable character, and even personally, it really has been wonderful to read through all these amazing tributes. Our best to your mum, brother, and the extended family...
Brett McKay
Guest
thanks Mick, I really appreciate your words. I've got to say I'm blown away by the number of people that have included me in their thoughts of Vinay, it's been very touching for me personally. And it's true, I'll be forever indebted to him for his time and encouragement. My column yesterday had somthing of an empty feel about it, with no slightly obscure link between rugby and cricket present in the comments. Only one man could do it, and Vinay did it every Tuesday....
MattyP
Guest
Most sad. His writings and comments were, on their own, worth the price of admission to The Roar. Always erudite and eloquent, unfailingly polite. Vale, Vinay.
Tony Tannous
Expert
I never had the good fortune to meet Vinay, but like so many on The Roar, he touched my life through the warmth of his commentary and punchy prose. While not a football fan first, he was always respectful and I enjoyed having a non-football man engage on the subject. I remember Vinay getting right into the World Cup last year, often encouraging me throughout the tournament with his comments and questions during my Live Q & As. His perspective was always reasoned, derived from years of learning about life. Because of a shared love of test matches, I always enjoyed his cricket musings and all-round metaphors, they flowed like a....(add Vinayism here)... Not doubt he’ll have his bat and ball with him upstairs, looking for a game wherever he can get it, appealing to the umpire at every opportunity and appealing to everyone else at the same time. Just as he did here. You’ll be missed Vinay. Condolences to Patricia, Paul, Laura and the extended family.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I am so sorry for your sad loss of an honorable mate, sheek. I see only good in a Vinay Verma award and I warrant he would be well pleased. As to your recent lunch and not knowing what would follow - Vinay Verma could tell you this is from Julius Caesar. I like it because it reminds one to remember and enjoy the time spent together if, by chance, the opportunity to do it again is no longer. "If we do meet again, why, we shall smile; If not, why then, this parting was well made."
Laura
Guest
As Vinay’s daughter, I, and my family, are overwhelmed by the support and well wishes from everyone on the Roar. I remember constantly coming into Dad’s office and seeing the “Roar” open to Dad replying to comments and proudly showing me all the responses he would get from his work. Those who knew him personally, or through his writing, could see the amazing man he was and the talent he had for writing, especially on his true love, cricket. Thank you for all your support and well wishes. Dad would have been so happy so see this!
Paul Adelaide
Guest
Vinay was my friend for 38 years. In recent times he introduced and encouraged me to participate in The Roar and The Cricket Chronicles. I enjoyed both immensely, in large part because of his command of language and delightful metaphors. For him, he was always looking for a wildly obscure phrase, which would somehow be just right. He told me that he was able to secure an interview with Kevin Pietersen with the line, "I don't want to know who you are sleeping with, but how to do a cover drive". That was sufficient to snare his prey. Vinay was a man with wide interests and sport was a critical priority. He had his fair share of stress and difficulties through his life and yet continued to strive for success. He was my best friend.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Julian - you've been thrice blessed to have such a fine man in your family. This is such a sad loss for you all. I'm not surprised at his "better to celebrate their life than to mourn it” view - it's a good one because Vinay has left you with so very much to celebrate, and that will sustain you. And the Good Lord thought he had a man of cricket and sport on his hands when Kerry Packer turned up? Not by half! I offer my commiserations to his wife and family and my prayers.
jamesb
Guest
In my earlier post I failed to acknowledge Kersis beautiful piece on his friend Vinay. Kersi, it must have been perhaps the hardest column you had to write. But you did very well. In my personal regret, in his last blog, I only joined towards the end, when rain interrupted play between Australia and Sri Lanka. I wished i joined earlier. The great thing about the roar, is you get to interact with people, whether its columnists, or average joes. I always liked how he replied to my comments. It made me feel appreciated. Vinay Verma and Mike Coward are for me the doyen as far as cricket writers is concerned. Unfortunately we've lost one of them. Cricket has lost a great writer and by all accounts (Kersi, Brett, Sheek etc) a great man I wish I met him.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Such a sad loss. So very, very sad. I thought of you, Brett, the moment I saw this for the reason I have followed those 18 months of encouragement and education. Vinay gave you that which is all the more valuable as one gets older - his time. He clearly saw that it was well spent. You have lost a fine mate, Brett - my commiserations to you young man. I am well aware you will honour his legacy of integrity and excellence, in your own work. Ricketty Knees says "Vinay was a good man with a good heart". I'll simply go with that. A candle for you, Vinay, at the ever so peaceful Guardian Angels tomorrow and a respectful bon voyage.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
A chanceless "century", Vinay. 100 comments so far and all full of praises for the lyrical cricketing guru. Not one negative comment. Vinay would have been delighted and shared his happiness with me on the phone. Some writers are prolific, some are eloquent. Vinay was both. Being a statistician, I cannot resist this: In 20 months from 10 June 2009 to 5 March 2011, Vinay posted 96 stories on The Roar and wrote 2963 comments. Zac, is the comment stat (148 per month) a record for The Roar? But Vinay should be remembered for the quality of his writing and not quantity. He had the speed of Thomson, the swing of Wasim Akran and the spin and bounce of Kumble.