Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 19, Smashes 48-Year-Old Record, Becomes Youngest Ever to Score 150 in Test Debut

South Africa has a new cricketing hero! Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a 19-year-old sensation, made history on Saturday by becoming the youngest player ever to score 150 runs in a Test innings. His remarkable achievement came during his debut Test against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club.

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

Pretorius, at just 19 years and 93 days old, surpassed the previous record held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad for 48 years. Miandad was 19 years and 119 days old when he scored 163 against New Zealand in 1976. Pretorius's innings of 153 runs came off 160 balls, solidifying his place in cricketing history. He is also the youngest South African to achieve a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall.

His impressive, counter-attacking innings proved vital for South Africa, who were struggling at 23 for 3 and later 55 for 4. Pretorius formed a crucial partnership with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, adding a rapid 95 runs in only 88 balls. 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. His innings included 11 fours and four sixes.

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

Ultimately, the day belonged to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, the young record-breaker who announced himself on the international stage in spectacular fashion.