Teenage Debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius Shatters Record, Becomes Youngest Ever to Score 150 in Test Cricket

South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a prodigious talent, made history on Saturday by becoming the youngest cricketer ever to score 150 runs in a Test innings.

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

The 19-year-old debutant achieved this milestone in the first Test against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club, surpassing a 48-year-old record previously held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

Pretorius, at 19 years and 93 days old, crafted a brilliant 153 from 160 deliveries. Miandad was 19 years and 119 days old when he scored 163 on his debut against New Zealand in Lahore in 1976. Furthermore, Pretorius is now the youngest South African to achieve a Test century and ranks as the fifth-youngest overall to score a century on debut in Test history.

His aggressive innings proved pivotal, rescuing South Africa from a precarious 23 for 3, which later worsened to 55 for 4. He formed a dynamic 95-run partnership with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, which came off just 88 balls. Brevis contributed a rapid 51 off 38 balls, including four sixes, setting a new record for the fastest Test fifty by a South African debutant.

"I was nervous when I came to the crease," Pretorius admitted after the day's play. "We identified that they only had two seam bowlers, so we decided to target the spinners. I simply love batting, and today, it all came together."

Pretorius reached his century from 112 balls and his 150 from 157 balls before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who ended the day with figures of 4 for 83. Pretorius's innings included 11 fours and four sixes.

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

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