South African Teen Sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius Smashes 48-Year-Old Test Record

South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius made history on Saturday, becoming the youngest cricketer ever to score 150 runs in a Test innings. The 19-year-old debutant achieved this milestone against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club, surpassing a 48-year-old record previously held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius celebrates with Corbin Bosch after his remarkable innings.

Pretorius, at 19 years and 93 days, crafted a magnificent 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. Pretorius now holds the record for the youngest South African to score a Test century and is the fifth-youngest overall to achieve a debut ton.

His aggressive innings arrived at a critical juncture, with South Africa struggling at 23 for 3 and later 55 for 4. He forged a swift 95-run partnership in just 88 balls with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis. Brevis contributed a quickfire 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 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. Pretorius struck 11 boundaries and four sixes during his innings.

South Africa concluded Day 1 at 418 for 9, with Corbin Bosch 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.

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