South African Teen Sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 19, Smashes 48-Year-Old Test Record

South African cricket witnessed the dawn of a new star as Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a 19-year-old debutant, etched his name into the annals of Test cricket history. On Saturday, at the Queens Sports Club, he became the youngest player ever to score 150 runs in a single innings, 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 the age of 19 years and 93 days, crafted a magnificent innings of 153 runs from 160 deliveries. This feat eclipsed Miandad's record, who was 19 years and 119 days old when he scored 163 on his debut against New Zealand in Lahore back in 1976. The young South African also now holds the distinction of being the youngest South African to achieve a Test century, and ranks as the fifth-youngest overall in Test history to score a century on debut.

His aggressive and counter-attacking innings proved crucial for South Africa, who were initially struggling at 23 for 3 and later at 55 for 4. Pretorius formed a dynamic partnership with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, resulting in a rapid 95-run stand that spanned just 88 balls. Brevis contributed a quickfire 51 off 38 balls, which included four sixes, marking the fastest Test fifty ever recorded 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 mark in 112 balls and accelerated to 150 runs in 157 balls before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who concluded the day with figures of 4 for 83. The young batsman's innings included 11 boundaries and four towering sixes.

South Africa concluded Day 1 with a score of 418 for 9, with Corbin Bosch also achieving a milestone by scoring an unbeaten 100 off 124 balls – his maiden century. 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.

While Bosch's century was commendable, the day undeniably belonged to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, the record-breaking teenager who announced his arrival on the international stage in spectacular fashion.