Teenage Sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 19, Smashes 48-Year-Old Record to Become Youngest to Score 150 in Test History

Sunday - 13/07/2025 03:34

South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a 19-year-old debutant, etched his name in Test cricket history by becoming the youngest player to score 150 runs in an innings against Zimbabwe, surpassing Javed Miandad's 48-year-old record. Pretorius's counterattacking 153, along with Dewald Brevis's quickfire 51, helped South Africa recover from a shaky start.

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

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

Pretorius, at 19 years and 93 days old, played a stunning innings of 153 runs off 160 balls. Javed Miandad was 19 years and 119 days old when he scored 163 on his debut against New Zealand in Lahore in 1976. This incredible performance also makes Pretorius the youngest South African to score a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall to achieve a debut ton in Test history.

His aggressive innings came at a critical juncture, with South Africa struggling at 23 for 3 and later at 55 for 4. He formed a dynamic 95-run partnership with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis in just 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 deliveries and his 150 in 157 balls before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who ended the day with figures of 4 for 83. 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 first-ever 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 the record-breaking Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who announced himself on the international stage in spectacular fashion.