Teenage Sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius Shatters 48-Year-Old Record, Becomes Youngest to Score 150 in Test Cricket Debut

Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Corbin Bosch (Pic credit: CSA)

Lhuan-dre Pretorius, the South African teenage cricketer, has made history by becoming the youngest player to score 150 runs in a Test innings. The 19-year-old debutant achieved this milestone on Saturday during the first Test against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club. He surpassed a 48-year-old record previously held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

At 19 years and 93 days old, Pretorius crafted a remarkable 153 off 160 balls. In 1976, Miandad was 19 years and 119 days old when he scored 163 on his debut against New Zealand in Lahore. Pretorius is also the youngest South African to achieve a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall to score a century on debut.

His aggressive innings occurred at a crucial time, with South Africa struggling at 23 for 3 and later 55 for 4. He formed a swift 95-run partnership in just 88 balls with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis. Brevis contributed 51 off 38 balls, including four sixes, marking the fastest Test fifty by a South African debutant.

"There were nerves when I walked in," Pretorius admitted after the day's play. "We knew they had only two seamers, and we targeted the spinners. I just love batting. It worked out today."

Pretorius reached his century in 112 deliveries and his 150 in 157 balls before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who ended the day with 4 for 83. Pretorius struck 11 fours and four sixes during his innings.

South Africa concluded Day 1 at 418 for 9, with Corbin Bosch scoring an unbeaten 100 off 124 balls – his maiden century. He received support from Kwena Maphaka (9*) and Codi Yusuf, who added a useful 27 during a 59-run ninth-wicket partnership.

The day, however, undoubtedly belonged to the record-breaking Lhuan-dre Pretorius.