Latest news with #Pretorius
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: The absence of DRS technology in Zimbabwe is unacceptable
Young SA batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius seemingly benefitted because the system isn't being used in the two-Test series. There is no Decision Review System in use in the Test series between South Africa and Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe. Picture:To walk or not to walk? That is the question that has again come up following Lhuan-dre Pretorius scoring 153 on debut for the Proteas against Zimbabwe after he seemingly nicked a ball to the wicket-keeper when on just 30, but wasn't given out by the on-field umpire. This went down on day one of the first Test between the teams in Bulawayo on Saturday. The match is being played without the use of the Decision Review System (DRS), a standard now in almost all top-level men's international cricket. Without DRS, neither team can challenge the umpire's decisions — not edges behind or LBW appeals. No DRS in use While there is no clear explanation why DRS isn't being used in this Test series in Zimbabwe, it seems the high operational costs have delayed its rollout in the country. It is not the first time DRS isn't being used in Zimbabwe. On Saturday in Bulawayo, with Pretorius on 30 and the Proteas in trouble at 68/4, the batter seemingly nicked the ball to the wicket-keeper – it can be heard on the audio – and despite a big appeal, the umpire didn't give Pretorius out. The batter stood rooted to his crease. Pretorius went on to score 153 and the Proteas declared their innings closed on 418/9. How different things could have been had Pretorius been given out, or had DRS been in use. There have been other decisions in the Test – nicks and LBW appeals – that with DRS in use would have been referred to a third umpire, and possibly some overturned. It boggles the mind that any Test match now is played without DRS in place. It's not acceptable, though this is how cricket was once played, without any technology assisting in decisions of players being given out or not. It is much better having DRS in place because for the most part the correct decisions are made, and that's all we all want. Some players walk, others say it's up to the umpire to make the decision, whether they know they've nicked it or not. Pretorius might have got lucky, but well done to him for making the most of the reprieve.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Sky is the limit for Lhuan-dre Pretorius and his Proteas career
SUPERSTAR Lhuan-dre Pretorius made history on his Test debut by becoming the youngest South African to score a half-century and 150 runs, surpassing legends like Graeme Pollock and Sachin Tendulkar. Picture: Cricket South Africa It's not often a teenager scores a Test half-century for South Africa, and when Lhuan-dre Pretorius reached that mark during the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo over the weekend, it was the first time in 61 years. At 19 years and 93 days, Pretorius became the youngest to ever achieve the feat for South Africa, beating out the legendary Graeme Pollock who held the previous record when he achieved the feat at 19 years and 317 days in 1964. The big-hitting left-hander was not yet, though, as he went on to become the youngest-ever Test player to score 150 or over, beating another legend - Sachin Tendulkar. When he was finally out for 153, Pretorius had faced just 160 ball as he struck 11 fours and six maximums. It's also quite incredible that Pretorius achieved all that on his Test debut. Codi Yusuf and Dewald Brevis made it three debutants in the match.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Watch: Out or Not Out? No snicko to confirm; Lhuan-dre Pretorius makes it count with record-breaking knock
Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored a record-breaking ton for the Proteas vs Zimbabwe (Image via ET) Lhuan-dre Pretorius made history on Saturday as he became the youngest South African to score a Test century, reaching the milestone at just 19 years and 93 days, surpassing Graeme Pollock's long-standing record from 1964. But his stunning debut knock of 153 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo wasn't without drama. With South Africa struggling at 24/3 and under serious pressure, Pretorius walked in and was soon at the centre of a key moment. Zimbabwe's fielders went up in a loud appeal for a caught-behind. The umpire ruled him not out, and with no Snickometer technology available, the decision stood. Commentators noted, ' There's no Snicko, so if there is contact, Pretorius has survived .' One Zimbabwe player even walked up to Pretorius, suggesting he should have walked, adding fuel to the moment. Several Zimbabwe players were also heard telling the batter to 'walk back' after the incident. Instead of letting the pressure affect him, Pretorius stayed calm. He built a match-turning 95-run partnership with Dewald Brevis, who smashed a 41-ball fifty of his own. The pair led South Africa's recovery after a shaky start. Pretorius went on to score 153, an innings full of maturity, footwork, and clean stroke play. He struck 11 fours and 4 sixes, anchoring the Proteas innings and putting his name in the record books. Poll Is Lhuan-dre Pretorius the next big star in South African cricket? Definitely Not really From a tense appeal to a historic century, Pretorius' debut had it all. Without 'Snicko' to settle the debate, all that remains is the scoreboard—and a place in South African cricket history. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘Just the beginning,' says Pretorius after hitting 153 on debut for Proteas
The young batter continued his remarkable rise in world cricket by smashing an excellent century against Zimbabwe. Lhuan-dre Pretorius, seen here in action for the Titans, scored a century on debut for the Proteas on Saturday. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images Lhuan-dre Pretorius said his swashbuckling century was 'just the beginning' following the Proteas batter becoming the youngest South African to score a century on debut on Saturday. Pretorius, at just 19 years and 93 days old, surpassed Graeme Pollock (19 years and 318 days old, achieved in 1963) as the youngest South African to score a hundred on debut. Pretorius smashed 153 on day one of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Saturday to help the Proteas close the day on 418/9. 'Amazing' Corbin Bosch also hit an excellent century batting lower down the order, while another debutant, Dewald Brevis, made 51 off 41 balls. The young Pretorius said he was grateful to go past the record set by Pollock all those years ago. 'I'm grateful, it's amazing,' said the youngster who came to prominence during this year's SA20 competition. He backed up that showing by scoring plenty of runs in the domestic four-day competition, which helped get him selected for this Test series in Zimbabwe. 'It's a dream come true,' he added about scoring a century on debut. 'I also got a message from AB (de Villiers), who said 'well batted'. I'm lost for words actually.' Asked what his message would be for any other youngsters starting out their cricketing careers, Pretorius said: 'Just to back yourself, be mentally strong, trust your game, trust the people around you who help you. And then also, it's about hard work, discipline, the things off the field that you carry into the game.' Pretorius came to the crease with the Proteas in trouble early in their first innings at 23/3. 'Play with a smile' 'It was doing a bit, the situation was tough, but when you're playing for your country you must embrace the moment,' said the left-hander. 'I tried to enjoy it out there and play with a smile on my face. I love batting and hope I can do it again and again. This is just the beginning.' Pretorius added the Proteas were now in a strong position in the Test going into day two. 'This is definitely where we want to be after day one. They bowled well early on, so we had to absorb some pressure, but it got nice to bat later in the day. It also started turning which is good for us, but there's also a lot of bounce, and we've got some pace as well.'
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
South Africa teen Pretorius hits century on Test debut against Zimbabwe
BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe: Teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius hit a dazzling 153 on debut and transformed South Africa's fortunes on the first day of the first Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club on Saturday. South Africa scored 418 for nine, a total which seemed unlikely when Pretorius arrived at the crease with his team in trouble at 23 for three. Fast bowling all-rounder Corbin Bosch, batting at number eight, made 100 not out, reaching his century in the last over of the day. Pretorius, a solidly-built left-hander aged 19 years and 93 days, became the youngest South African to hit a Test century and the seventh from his country to make a hundred on Test debut. Pretorius hit a six off the fourth ball he faced, from left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza, then smiled broadly at batting partner Wiaan Mulder. He hit another six and seven fours in reaching his century off 112 balls. He hit a total of four sixes and 11 fours off 160 deliveries before he was caught at mid-on off a top-edged pull against fast bowler Tanaka Chivanga. Pretorius gave no chances but the Zimbabwean players seemed convinced that he had edged a ball from Chivanga to wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga when he was on 30. No decision review system is in place for the series. Chivanga, who took the first three wickets while conceding only eight runs, took four for 83 despite seeming to struggle with a hamstring strain during the afternoon. Chivanga and fellow fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani, who took two for 59, generated pace and bounce but they were the only specialist seamers in the team and Zimbabwe's four spin bowlers proved expensive. "We knew they had only two seamers so we tried to take the spinners out of the attack," said Pretorius. "It was doing quite a bit early in the morning and the situation when I came in was quite tough. "Wiaan kept me quite calm and I just tried to enjoy the moment and play with a smile on my face." Pretorius, Dewald Brevis and fast bowler Codi Yusuf were new caps in a South African team containing only four of the players who clinched the World Test Championship against Australia at Lord's two weeks ago. The team also had a new captain in veteran left-arm spin bowler Keshav Maharaj. Mulder was run out for 17 and South Africa were still in trouble when Brevis, 22, joined Pretorius at 55 for four. Pretorius and Brevis put on 95 off 88 balls for the fifth wicket. Brevis slammed 51 off 41 deliveries, hitting four sixes and three fours. He reached his half-century with the third of three sixes in an over off leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa. Bosch, who was stranded on 81 not out batting at number nine in his only previous Test, against Pakistan at Centurion in December, helped Pretorius add 108 for the seventh wicket. He was on 84 when the ninth wicket fell but last man Kwena Maphaka shepherded him to his maiden first-class century. South Africa's previous youngest centurion was Graeme Pollock, who was aged 19 years and 317 days when he made 120 against Australia in Sydney in 1963/64. Pretorius became the 10th youngest Test centurion of all time in a list headed by Mohammad Ashraful of Bangladesh, who was 17 years and 61 days old when he made a hundred against Sri Lanka in 2001. It continued a meteoric rise to prominence for Pretorius, who made a century on his first-class debut last December when he was 18 and has now hit four centuries in eight matches. "Obviously the domestic performances helped with the confidence but that is in the past. This is also in the past now. Hopefully I can do it again and again. I just love batting," said Pretorius. — AFP
