Pretorius Breaks Record as Youngest South African Test Centurion
Lhuan-dre Pretorius announced his arrival in Test cricket with a stunning 153 on debut. At just 19 years and 93 days old, he became the youngest South African to reach a Test hundred, rewriting a record that stood for over six decades. His heroics came when South Africa was reeling at 23 for 3 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
A Collapse Turned Around by Youth
South Africa faced early trouble in the first Test. The top order failed to handle Zimbabwe’s pace attack, and three quick wickets fell. Pretorius walked in with pressure mounting and responded with fearless strokeplay.
A Knock That Made History
The young left-hander struck a six on just his fourth ball. He brought up his maiden century in 112 balls just before the tea break. His final score—153 off 160 balls—included 11 boundaries and 4 sixes.This wasn’t just his first Test ton, but also his highest first-class score. Pretorius is now the youngest South African to reach a Test hundred, surpassing Graeme Pollock’s record from 1963. He also became the youngest ever to score 150 in Tests, overtaking Javed Miandad’s long-standing record.
All-rounder Corbin Bosch provided solid support with an unbeaten 100 on debut. Their partnership rebuilt the innings and helped South Africa post 418 for 9. Earlier, Dewald Brevis added a valuable 51, giving the innings much-needed momentum.
Zimbabwe Fights Back
In reply, Zimbabwe fought hard. Sean Williams struck a brilliant 137. Despite his efforts, Zimbabwe trailed by 216 runs after the first innings. South Africa’s bowling unit, led by Codi Yusuf and Wiaan Mulder, took key wickets.
The Rise of Pretorius
Pretorius’s rise has been rapid. He led the charts in the 2024 U-19 World Cup and soon made a mark in domestic cricket. His talent drew global attention in franchise leagues before earning a national call-up. What sets him apart is his calm approach under pressure and ability to score quickly.
What It Means for South Africa
Pretorius’s debut could mark the beginning of a new era in South African cricket. With experienced players retiring, new faces like Pretorius and Bosch offer fresh hope. His aggressive yet composed style is exactly what modern Test cricket demands.
Looking Ahead
South Africa holds a dominant position going into day three. With a huge lead and momentum on their side, they’ll look to bat Zimbabwe out of the game. Pretorius, now a national hero, may well be the Proteas’ next superstar.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius didn’t just score runs—he made a statement. From a crisis to control, his debut innings has set the tone for a promising Test career. For South Africa, this isn’t just a new record; it’s the rise of a new star.
Also read this : https://cric92.com/latest/travis-head-shines-for-aus-in-dominant-test-win-against-wi/