Teenage Sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius Smashes Debut Test Record, Dethrones Miandad

In a stunning display of talent, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a 19-year-old South African cricketer, has rewritten the record books, becoming the youngest player to score 150 runs in a Test innings. This remarkable feat occurred during his debut match against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club, surpassing a 48-year-old record held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

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

At the tender age of 19 years and 93 days, Pretorius crafted a magnificent innings of 153 runs from 160 deliveries. Miandad previously held the record, scoring 163 runs on debut against New Zealand in 1976 at the age of 19 years and 119 days. Additionally, Pretorius is now the youngest South African to achieve a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall to score a century on debut.

His aggressive innings proved pivotal, rescuing South Africa from a precarious position of 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 rapid 51 off 38 balls, including four towering sixes, marking the fastest Test fifty by a South African debutant.

"I felt the pressure when I first came to the crease," Pretorius admitted after the day's play. "We strategized to attack the spinners, knowing they only had two seam bowlers. I relish batting, and today, it all came together."

Pretorius reached his century in 112 balls and his 150 in 157 deliveries before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who ended the day with figures of 4 for 83. His innings included 11 boundaries and four impressive sixes.

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

The day, however, undoubtedly belonged to Lhuan-dre Pretorius and his record-breaking performance.