Teenage Sensation: Lhuan-dre Pretorius Breaks 48-Year-Old Record With Debut Test Century

South African cricket witnessed the dawn of a new star as Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a mere 19 years old, etched his name into the annals of Test cricket history. He now holds the record of the youngest player to score 150 runs in a Test innings.

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

The young debutant's remarkable achievement occurred during the first Test match against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club. Pretorius surpassed a 48-year-old record previously held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

At 19 years and 93 days, Pretorius crafted a magnificent innings of 153 runs from 160 balls. Miandad, by comparison, was 19 years and 119 days old when he scored 163 on his debut against New Zealand in Lahore in 1976. Pretorius also becomes the youngest South African to score a Test century. He's the fifth-youngest overall to achieve a debut ton.

His aggressive innings came at a critical juncture. South Africa was struggling at 23 for 3, and later 55 for 4. Partnering with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, Pretorius forged a quickfire 95-run partnership in just 88 balls. Brevis added 51 off 38 deliveries, including four sixes. His effort resulted in 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 off 112 balls and his 150 off 157 before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who ended the day with 4 for 83. Pretorius’s innings included 11 fours and four sixes.

South Africa closed Day 1 at 418 for 9, with Corbin Bosch scoring an unbeaten 100, his maiden century, from 124 balls. He was supported by Kwena Maphaka (9*), while Codi Yusuf contributed a useful 27 during a 59-run ninth-wicket partnership.

The day, however, unequivocally belonged to the record-shattering Lhuan-dre Pretorius.