South African teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius carved his name into cricket history on Saturday with a dazzling debut century.
The 19-year-old scored 153 runs against Zimbabwe in the first Test at Queens Sports Club, becoming the youngest cricketer to hit 150 on debut.
He surpassed the previous record held by Pakistan’s Javed Miandad, who made 163 in 1976 at 19 years and 119 days.
South Africa ended the first day at 418 for 9, powered by Pretorius’ brilliance and Corbin Bosch’s unbeaten century in the final over.
Pretorius entered with the team reeling at 23-3 and helped rebuild with Dewald Brevis, sharing a 95-run stand off just 88 balls.
The debutant brought up his half-century in 53 balls and reached his hundred from 112 deliveries, breaking Graeme Pollock’s record as South Africa’s youngest century-maker.
He reached 150 shortly after tea, driving and pulling with flair before falling for 153 from 160 balls, laced with 11 fours and four sixes.
“There were nerves, but I just love batting,” Pretorius said after his landmark knock. “It worked out for me today.”
Brevis added a quickfire 51 with four sixes, while Codi Yusuf chipped in with a gritty 27 during a key lower-order partnership.
Bosch, playing his second Test, was dropped twice before reaching his hundred in the final over with a single to backward square.
South Africa rested several regulars including captain Temba Bavuma and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, handing debuts to three fresh faces.
Stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj chose to bat first, backing the rookies to rise in the absence of a video review system.
Zimbabwe’s Tanaka Chivanga impressed with figures of 4 for 83, though he twice appeared to have Pretorius caught behind without success.
