ALL-rounder and captain, Liam Roche, is in a race against time to be fit for the Zimbabwe Cricket Under-19 tour of Australia.

Zimbabwe U19 are expected to leave for Australia this Sunday for a five-match One Day series against Queensland State Cricket from August 16-28.

Roche has tendonitis knees sustain in the recently concluded series against Kenya Under-19 –a series Zimbabwe wrapped up with a 4-0 whitewash in the unofficial Youth One Day International.

The 17-year-old St. Georges College star missed the final game against Kenya having scored 181 runs in three innings including an unbeaten maiden 108 and 53.

Zimbabwe U19 coach Stephen Mangongo hinted that Roche’s injury is serious that he has to be examined by specialists, during the four-day break, to determine the extent of the injury before departure.
 
“It’s very serious and we are hoping that he will recover. We are looking to have him looked at by specialists. We have 12 days before the first game is played so we are keeping our fingers crossed,” he said.

Overall, Roche has proven to be an asset in the Zimbabwe U19 set up having scored 452 runs in the last 10 innings and also spinning to 12 wickets.
 
Zim U19 squad for Australia
Liam Roche (cpt), Milton Shumba (v-cpt), Gregory Dollar, Marshall Takodza, Dion Myers, Jayden Schadendorf, Alvin Chiradza, Wesley Madhevere, Mason Chikowore, Priviledge Chesa, Tinotenda Jakachira, Dion Mazhawidza, Struan More Gordon, Tanunurwa Makoni and Kieran Robinson.
 
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