Could Lhuan-dre Pretorius Be the Youngest South African Batter to Score a Test Century?
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Synopsis
In an extraordinary display of talent, Lhuan-dre Pretorius has made history by becoming the youngest South African to score a Test century. This achievement during his debut match against Zimbabwe not only highlights his potential but also breaks a record that stood for nearly six decades. Discover the details of this remarkable feat.
Key Takeaways
- Lhuan-dre Pretorius is the youngest South African Test centurion.
- He scored 128 runs on his debut.
- He broke a record that stood since 1964.
- Pretorius played a key role in stabilizing a struggling innings.
- He has a bright future in South African cricket.
Bulawayo, June 28 (NationPress) In a remarkable achievement, 19-year-old left-handed batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius has set a new record by becoming the youngest South African to score a Test century during his debut match against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Saturday.
Making his Test debut, Pretorius reached his century with a single off the 113th ball he faced in the second session of the first day’s play. With this performance, he broke the long-standing record held by Graeme Pollock, who was 19 years and 317 days old when he achieved this feat against Australia in 1964.
As the players took tea, Pretorius remained unbeaten on 128 runs from 141 balls, impressively hitting seven fours and four sixes after coming to the crease with the team struggling at 23/3.
This match marks South Africa's first outing since claiming the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) title at Lord’s. At one point, they found themselves at 55/4, but Pretorius, also a wicketkeeper, played a pivotal role in stabilizing the innings, sharing a swift 95-run partnership with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, who contributed 51 runs.
Pretorius is now the seventh South African batter to score a Test century on debut, joining the ranks of Andrew Hudson, Jacques Rudolph, Alviro Petersen, Faf du Plessis, Stiaan van Zyl, and Stephen Cook. His rapid rise to the national team came after an impressive season in the CSA 4-Day Series, where he recorded three centuries in five first-class matches, boasting an average of 72.66, including a crucial 114 in the final that earned a hard-fought draw for the Titans against the Lions.
Point of View
We celebrate the achievements of young talents like Lhuan-dre Pretorius. His record-breaking century not only highlights his personal potential but also represents a bright future for South African cricket. We stand with our national teams and encourage the nurturing of emerging players who will carry the torch forward.
NationPress
28/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lhuan-dre Pretorius?
Lhuan-dre Pretorius is a 19-year-old left-handed batter who recently became the youngest South African to score a Test century during his debut against Zimbabwe.
What record did Pretorius break?
He broke the record held by Graeme Pollock, who was 19 years and 317 days old when he scored his first Test century.
How many runs did Pretorius score?
Pretorius scored an unbeaten 128 runs off 141 balls.
When did this match take place?
The match took place on June 28 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
What was South Africa's situation during the match?
South Africa found themselves at 23/3 at one point, and later at 55/4, before Pretorius stabilized the innings.
