Teenage Sensation: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 19, Smashes 48-Year Test Record on Debut

South African cricket prodigy Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a mere 19 years old, carved his name into cricketing folklore on Saturday by becoming the youngest player ever to achieve a score of 150 runs in a Test innings. This remarkable feat occurred during his Test debut against Zimbabwe at the esteemed Queens Sports Club, eclipsing 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 the tender age of 19 years and 93 days, constructed a masterful innings of 153 runs from 160 deliveries. Javed Miandad previously held the record at 19 years and 119 days when he scored 163 on debut against New Zealand in Lahore in 1976. This innings also marks Pretorius as the youngest South African to score a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall to achieve a ton on debut.

His aggressive and counterattacking innings arrived at a critical juncture for South Africa, who were reeling at 23 for 3 and later 55 for 4. Teaming up with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, Pretorius forged a swift 95-run partnership in just 88 balls. Brevis, not to be outdone, contributed a quickfire 51 off 38 balls, including four towering sixes, registering 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."

He reached his century in 112 balls and his 150 in 157 balls before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga. Pretorius's innings was punctuated by 11 boundaries and four sixes.

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

However, the day undoubtedly belonged to the record-breaking Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who announced himself on the international stage in spectacular fashion.