Teenage Debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius Makes History, Claims Youngest 150 Record in Test Cricket

South African cricket witnessed a historic moment on Saturday as teenage sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius became the youngest player ever to score 150 runs in a Test innings. The 19-year-old debutant achieved the remarkable feat against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club, surpassing a 48-year-old record previously held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

Aged 19 years and 93 days, Lhuan-dre Pretorius played a stunning knock 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. Pretorius also becomes the youngest South African to score a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall to achieve a debut ton.

His counterattacking innings proved pivotal, as South Africa found themselves in early trouble at 23 for 3 and later 55 for 4. Pretorius forged a swift 95-run partnership with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, which came in just 88 balls. Brevis contributed a blistering 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. Pretorius's innings included 11 boundaries and four towering sixes.

South Africa concluded Day 1 at 418 for 9, with Corbin Bosch contributing an unbeaten 100 off 124 balls – his maiden century. Kwena Maphaka provided support with 9*, while Codi Yusuf added a useful 27 during a 59-run partnership for the ninth wicket.

The day, however, undeniably belonged to the record-breaking Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who has announced himself on the world stage in emphatic fashion.