Teenage Debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius Makes History, Shatters 48-Year-Old Test Record

South African cricket has a new sensation! Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a 19-year-old debutant, made history on Saturday by becoming the youngest player ever to score 150 runs in a Test innings.

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

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

The remarkable achievement took place during his debut Test match against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club. Pretorius's innings shattered a 48-year-old record previously held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

At 19 years and 93 days old, Pretorius crafted a brilliant 153 from 160 deliveries. Miandad was 19 years and 119 days old when he scored 163 on debut against New Zealand in Lahore in 1976. He also becomes the youngest South African to achieve a Test century and fifth-youngest overall to score a ton on debut.

His aggressive innings was crucial for South Africa, who were struggling at 23 for 3 and later 55 for 4. Pretorius formed a swift 95-run partnership with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, which came in just 88 balls. Brevis added 51 off just 38 balls, including four towering sixes, to record 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. He hit 11 boundaries and cleared the ropes four times.

South Africa concluded Day 1 at 418 for 9, with Corbin Bosch contributing an unbeaten 100—his first century—off 124 balls. He was supported by Kwena Maphaka (9*), and Codi Yusuf added a useful 27 during a 59-run ninth-wicket partnership.

Undoubtedly, the day belonged to the record-breaking Lhuan-dre Pretorius.