Almost ten years.
That's how long Australian cricketer Matt Renshaw had to wait between his first and second Test centuries.
After bursting onto the international stage as a 20-year-old and scoring his maiden Test century in 2017, Renshaw looked destined for a long career at the highest level.
But cricket rarely follows a straightforward path.
Over the years that followed, Renshaw experienced setbacks, lost his place in the Australian team and spent years working towards another opportunity.
His recent century against South Africa wasn't just another milestone. It was a powerful reminder that success in cricket requires patience, resilience and persistence.
And for parents of junior cricketers, there's an important lesson in his journey.
Development Is Rarely a Straight Line
In junior cricket, it's easy to become caught up in results. Who scored the most runs? Who made the representative squad? Who is playing in the highest grade?
While these achievements are exciting, they don't necessarily predict long-term success.
Some players develop earlier than others, while others take years to find their confidence and reach their potential.
Renshaw's journey demonstrates that where a player is today doesn't determine where they'll be tomorrow.
The best 12-year-old cricketer won't necessarily be the best at 18, just as a player overlooked for representative selection at 14 may still have enormous potential.
Setbacks Are Part of the Journey
Every cricketer experiences disappointment, whether it's getting out for a duck, struggling for form or missing selection.
For young players, these moments can feel enormous. For parents, watching their child experience disappointment can be equally challenging.
But setbacks aren't necessarily signs that something is going wrong. They're often an important part of learning and improving.
Renshaw didn't return to Test cricket by avoiding failure. He continued working on his game, adapting and persevering despite the disappointments along the way.
The goal isn't to protect young players from every setback, but to help them develop the resilience to keep going when things don't go their way.
Selection Doesn't Define Potential
Representative cricket provides fantastic opportunities for young players, but selection can sometimes become the primary measure of success.
Parents may worry that missing a squad at 13 means their child is falling behind, or that not playing in the highest grade will limit their future opportunities.
The reality is that junior selection reflects where a player is at a particular moment, not necessarily where they'll end up.
Young cricketers develop physically, technically and mentally at different rates. Some mature early, while others find their best cricket much later.
Missing out today doesn't mean missing out forever.
The Important Role Parents Play
Parents have an enormous influence on how young cricketers experience the game.
While it's natural to want your child to succeed, placing too much emphasis on runs, wickets and selections can unintentionally turn cricket into a source of pressure rather than enjoyment.
Instead, parents can support their child's development by:
- Praising effort and improvement
- Keeping setbacks in perspective
- Encouraging resilience
- Avoiding comparisons
- Protecting enjoyment
Sometimes, the most valuable thing a parent can do after a disappointing performance isn't to offer technical advice. It's simply to provide encouragement and perspective.
Play the Long Game
Junior cricket should be about more than producing the best player in an under-12 or under-14 competition. It's about developing skills, building confidence, learning to handle challenges and fostering a lifelong enjoyment of the game.
There will be good seasons and difficult ones. Periods of rapid improvement and times when progress feels slow. That's all part of cricket.
Matt Renshaw's story reminds us that success doesn't always arrive when we expect it, and setbacks don't have to define the journey.
For parents of junior cricketers, the message is simple: don't become so focused on where your child is today that you forget how much room they still have to grow.
After all, cricket is a long game.