Teenage Sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius Smashes 48-Year-Old Record with Debut Test Century

South African Lhuan-dre Pretorius has etched his name into cricketing folklore, becoming the youngest player ever to score 150 runs in a Test innings. The remarkable feat occurred during his debut match against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius celebrates his record-breaking innings with Corbin Bosch.

The 19-year-old surpassed a 48-year-old record previously held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad. Miandad was 19 years and 119 days old when he scored 163 against New Zealand in 1976. Pretorius, at 19 years and 93 days, achieved the milestone with a brilliant 153 off 160 deliveries.

This innings also marks Pretorius as the youngest South African to score a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall to achieve a ton on debut.

His aggressive innings proved crucial as South Africa found themselves in early trouble at 23 for 3 and later 55 for 4.

Key highlights of Pretorius's innings:

• Runs Scored: 153
• Balls Faced: 160
• Fours: 11
• Sixes: 4

Partnering with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, Pretorius forged a swift 95-run partnership in just 88 balls. Brevis contributed a rapid 51 off 38 balls, including four sixes, securing 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 balls and his 150 in 157 balls before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who ended the day with figures of 4 for 83.

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

Despite the strong finish by the South African lower order, the day unequivocally belonged to the record-breaking Lhuan-dre Pretorius.