Dre Pretorious and Brevis - (Source : @Johns/X.com)
On Saturday, June 28, South Africa locked horns with Zimbabwe in the first Test of a two-match series. This is the Proteas’ first match since lifting the World Test Championship.The new-look Proteas side, led by Keshav Maharaj, is without several key players and started the first Test on a negative note.
After lunch on Day 1, the Rainbow Nation was 90/4. Notably, the visitors had been reduced to 23/3, but debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius steadied the innings, batting on 44 off 48 balls, including five fours and a solitary six.
South Africa Shatter 129-year-old Record
Talking about Pretorius, his debut has helped the Proteas script a new feat after 129 years: fielding two players under 20 years old together in a Test. Alongside the 19-year-old Pretorius is Kwena Maphaka, who is also 19 and playing in this match.
According to a report from Wisden, it is the first time since 1896 that South Africa have fielded two teenagers together in a Test match. Kwena Maphaka is 19 years and 81 days old, while Lhuan-dre Pretorius is 19 years and 93 days old.
Who Were the Last Pair?
According to statistician Probuddha Bhattacharjee, Jimmy Sinclair (born on October 16, 1876) and George Shepstone (born on April 9, 1876) were the last pair of teenagers to have played a Test for South Africa. This occurred when South Africa hosted England in Johannesburg from March 2 to March 4, 1896. At the time, Sinclair was 19 years, 4 months, and 17 days old, and Shepstone was 19 years, 10 months, and 23 days old.
Who Is Lhuan-dre Pretorius?
The 19-year-old rose to fame during SA20 2025, when he played for Paarl Royals and scored 397 runs in 12 innings at an average of 33.08.
Impressed by his performance, Rajasthan Royals also signed the 19-year-old as a replacement, though he did not get a single match. He was selected for the ongoing tour and has now made his Test debut.
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 "Abhinav Tyagi")
