Teenage Pretorius Smashes Record, Becomes Youngest Ever to Score 150 in Test History

South Africa has a new cricketing hero! Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a 19-year-old sensation, has etched his name in the annals of Test cricket by becoming the youngest player ever to achieve a score of 150 runs in a single innings.

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

The remarkable feat occurred during his debut Test match against Zimbabwe at the prestigious Queens Sports Club. Pretorius's outstanding performance broke a long-standing, 48-year-old record previously held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

Pretorius, at the tender age of 19 years and 93 days, crafted a masterful innings of 153 runs from 160 deliveries. In 1976, Miandad was 19 years and 119 days old when he scored 163 runs in his debut against New Zealand in Lahore. Pretorius now holds the distinction of being the youngest South African to score a Test century, and the fifth-youngest overall in Test history to achieve a debut century.

His aggressive and counterattacking innings proved pivotal, arriving when South Africa was in a precarious position at 23 for 3, and later 55 for 4. He formed a dynamic partnership with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, amassing a rapid 95-run stand in a mere 88 balls. Brevis contributed a swift 51 off 38 balls, including four towering sixes, marking the fastest Test fifty ever recorded 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 mark in 112 deliveries and continued his assault to reach 150 runs off 157 balls before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who concluded the day with figures of 4 for 83. Pretorius's innings included 11 boundaries and four impressive sixes.

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

Ultimately, the day belonged to the record-breaking Lhuan-dre Pretorius, whose stellar performance will be remembered for years to come.