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

South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a 19-year-old cricket sensation, has etched his name in the annals of Test cricket. He now holds the record for the youngest player to score 150 runs in a single innings.

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

The remarkable achievement unfolded during his debut Test match against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club. With this feat, he surpassed a 48-year-old record previously held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

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

His aggressive innings came at a critical juncture, as South Africa found themselves struggling at 23 for 3, later slipping to 55 for 4. Partnering with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, Pretorius orchestrated a swift 95-run partnership in just 88 balls. Brevis contributed a rapid 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 mark in 112 balls and his 150 in 157 balls before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who ended the day with 4 wickets for 83 runs. Pretorius's innings included 11 boundaries and four towering sixes.

South Africa concluded Day 1 with a score of 418 for 9. Corbin Bosch also celebrated a milestone, scoring an unbeaten 100 off 124 balls for his maiden century. 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 historic debut will be remembered for years to come.