Record-breaking Lhuan-dre Pretorius: I needed to be myself

Lhuan-dre Pretorius cricketLhuan-dre Pretorius.

Batsman Lhuan-dre Pretorius was named player of the match after South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 328 runs on day four of the first Test in Bulawayo this week.

Pretorius became the seventh Proteas cricketer to hit a century on Test debut en route to 153.

The 19-year-old Pretorius is the youngest player to hit a century on Test debut for South Africa – and the youngest player overall to hit a score of 150-plus on Test debut.

“It’s a moment I’ll cherish and remember for a very long time. It was amazing. I haven’t played a lot of first-class games, but I’ve been in that position once or twice,” said Pretorius.

“I tried to stick to my game plan. The message was quite clear in the change room, that I needed to be myself. Soaking in the pressure, and transferring it again was important.

“This knock was far from easy – it is just the beginning of the road, and I know there is still a long way to go. My domestic performances boosted my confidence, but all that is in the past now. Hopefully, I can reproduce this innings again, and again, and again.

“Representing my country hasn’t completely sunk in yet, but my batting partners kept me calm, and after a difficult opening period, we managed to find our way.”

The second and final Test will start at the same venue on Sunday, 6 July 2025.

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