Wow. Just wow!
South African youngster Lhuan-dré Pretorius has just produced one of those innings that cricket fans will be talking about for years.
188 not out from only 79 balls! Yes, you read that correctly.
The 20-year-old Titans opener absolutely destroyed the Knights bowling attack in Bloemfontein, smashing his way into the history books and breaking one of the most famous records in T20 cricket.
And the record he broke?Chris Gayle’s legendary 175 not out.Gayle’s Record Finally Falls
For more than 13 years, Chris Gayle’s incredible 175* for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in the 2013 IPL stood at the top of the mountain.Many of the biggest hitters in world cricket came and went.
The record survived.Then along came Lhuan-dré Pretorius.
The young South African blasted 188 from 79 deliveries*, including a massive 15 fours and 13 sixes.
His strike rate?237.97.
That is some serious hitting!
Pretorius raced to his fifty from just 24 balls before reaching his century from only 40 deliveries. He wasn’t finished either, bringing up 150 from 58 balls as the possibility of something truly ridiculous started becoming very real.
For a moment, you had to wonder…Could we actually see 200 in a T20 innings?
Unfortunately, the overs ran out.Pretorius finished unbeaten on 188 – just 12 runs short of what would have been an unbelievable double century.
Titans Put 267 on the Board
Thanks largely to Pretorius’ incredible innings, the Titans finished on a massive 267/3 from their 20 overs.
Imagine being the Knights and walking out knowing you need 268 to win!The chase was always going to be enormous, and the Knights eventually finished on 143, handing the Titans a huge 124-run victory.
But this match will forever be remembered for one man.Lhuan-dré Pretorius.
South Africa Has Another Serious Talent
South African cricket fans have known about Pretorius for a while.But performances like this make the entire cricket world take notice.He is only 20 years old and already owns the record for the highest individual score in men’s T20 cricket.
Think about that for a second.Higher than Gayle.Higher than every other superstar who has played this format.And he has done it at 20.
The exciting thing is that Pretorius isn’t simply swinging the bat and hoping for the best. There is confidence, timing and serious power in his batting.When he gets going, bowlers have a massive problem.
188 Not Out. History Made.
Records are made to be broken.But some records start to feel like they might last forever.
Chris Gayle’s 175* was one of those.For 13 years, nobody could get past the Universe Boss.
Now a young South African has done it.
79 balls.
188 runs.
15 fours.
13 sixes.
One new world record.
What a knock from Lhuan-dré Pretorius!And at only 20 years old, you get the feeling this young man is only getting started.
Remember the name.
Author: swoosh0018
"Im Swoosh. Seeking the extraordinary in every corner & Exploring South Africa in Style" Football,Sports,Lifestyle,Food & Travel
