Teenage Debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius Smashes 48-Year Record, Youngest Ever to Score 150 in Test History

Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a South African cricketing prodigy, has made history by becoming the youngest player to achieve a score of 150 runs in a Test innings. The 19-year-old debutant accomplished this remarkable feat during the first Test match against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club, surpassing a 48-year-old record previously held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

At the age of 19 years and 93 days, Pretorius crafted a brilliant innings of 153 runs from 160 balls. Miandad was 19 years and 119 days old when he scored 163 on his debut against New Zealand in Lahore in 1976. Furthermore, Pretorius now holds the title of the youngest South African to score a Test century and ranks as the fifth-youngest in Test history to achieve a debut ton.

His aggressive innings came at a pivotal moment for South Africa, who were struggling at 23 for 3 and later 55 for 4. Pretorius, in partnership with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, forged a quickfire 95-run stand in just 88 balls. Brevis contributed a swift 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 off 112 deliveries and his 150 in 157 balls before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who concluded the day with figures of 4 for 83. His innings included 11 boundaries and four towering sixes.

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

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