NEWS » son.Since 2004, the S

Preston Mommsen has said the dearth of fixtures in Scotlands cricket calendar was a key factor in his retiring at the age of 29. The former captain also called for cricket administrators to create a more equitable schedule so that other players also dont end up walking away before their time.What was there on a day-to-day basis to keep me motivated and keep me driven to want to keep going in the game? I was spending far more time on the training pitch and the nets and the gym than I was in between the stumps. As a professional cricketer, that was very frustrating, Mommsen told ESPNcricinfo in a recent interview. As with any job in whatever line of work youre in, you need to have that sort of carrot there that motivates you. You need to have that structure.In the last 12 months, certainly, thats not been there, and unfortunately, that has made my decision easier. I cant see that pathway for me over the next 12-18 months that can keep me in and drive me forward.Mommsen led Scotland at the 2015 World Cup and the 2016 World T20 in India, where they secured their first win at a major ICC tournament. However, Scotland have not played an ODI against a Full Member since March. Going further back, they had played only four ODIs with Full Members between the 2011 and 2015 World Cups.That we havent played, since the 2015 World Cup, a single Full-Member ODI, that just makes me feel sick, really, Mommsen said. For us, going to the 2015 World Cup was a massive turning point in Scotlands development and we performed respectably, and you would think that would be the platform for us to kick on and make use of that experience. But theres not been the infrastructure that has allowed us to do that.For me, at this age, at 27, 28, 29, when youve learnt your game far better than when you had done when you were 22 or 23, you want to be playing as much as possible to maximise all the skills that you have learnt. So that has obviously come into [the decision to retire], that Im not able to capitalise on that at this time because of the lack of actually playing.At a time when they were struggling for matches, Mommsen wanted Associate teams to play each other as often as possible and that this was more important than asking for a greater share of the ICC revenues.Yes, I think its important that Associates are put up against Full Members, but I dont think thats the only cricket that they should be waiting to play, he said. I think its vital that theyre getting that number of days of cricket in the year so that they are able to experiment, try different things, grow as a team and as individuals so that every time they do come around to playing that Full Member, they are in a far better position.Waiting every four years to play a Full Member is not the answer either, which is another one of my issues, what happens in between the World Cups. When youre not being exposed to Full Members in between World Cups, and then you go to a World Cup and youre expected to perform and you dont, then its easy to point at the Associates and say, You dont belong here.Earlier this summer, Mommsen scored his 1000th ODI run - one of only five Scotland batsmen to do so - and talked about wanting to become the first to reach 2000-mark for his country. But all the empty space in the calendar made him wonder if that was a realistic pursuit. His final match came against Hong Kong in September.From January next year, Mommsen would begin work as a buyer for Edinburgh-based property management firm Grant Property Investments. He chanced upon the job while searching for work experience to complement his Bachelor of Science degree in property development and valuation at Edinburgh Napier University.Having all that vacant time has forced me to think about things, to gain different perspectives, and ultimately, I went exploring, Mommsen said. I met as many people as I could to try to get some work experience. That was my initial plan, to try and get some work experience while there was quite a bit of down time, I thought I might as well make use of that. I met the owner of a very good company, and as it happened, she got back to me and said there was an opening, and she thought Id be great for the role.Mommsen said the chance to represent Scotland was what he would miss the most about cricket, and hoped he would be remembered for his achievements on the field rather than the sudden nature of his retirement. He added he was at peace with his decision, and there was nothing that could make him reconsider.From my experiences and being exposed to Associate cricket and Full Member cricket, I can see so much potential in the Associates and it just frustrates me that other people dont see that as an opportunity for the game to grow, Mommsen said. I think its been pleasing that the responses Ive had, 90% of them are regarding my efforts for Scotland on the pitch, off the pitch and as a leader, which is hugely satisfying.Im very grateful for those messages and it makes me very happy that people have recognised that Ive given a huge amount to Scottish cricket, and I hope to do so in future from an off-the-field point of view. But, of course, people have also recognised the fact that I have spoken out, and me doing this is, I guess, a form of speaking out. But, hopefully, I will be remembered for what I did on the field when representing Scotland. China Jerseys Free Shipping . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. China Jerseys Replica . - NASCAR announced a 33-race schedule for the 2014 Nationwide Series with virtually no changes from this years slate. http://www.chinajerseyspaypal.com/ . Aaron Harrison scored a 22 points for Kentucky (6-1), which has won four in a row following a Nov. 12 loss to current No. 1 Michigan State. Julius Randle overcame a scoreless first half and added his sixth double-double in as many games with 14 points and 10 rebounds. China Jerseys Fake .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. China Jerseys Custom . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said theres still pain two weeks after undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee, but he isnt ruling himself out of Sundays game at Baltimore.You have surgery two weeks ago, theres going to be a little bit (of pain), Roethlisberger said.But listen, anybody in this locker room whos not feeling pain hasnt been on the football field. Everyones feeling pain right now.Roethlisberger took first-team snaps while practicing in a limited capacity on Wednesday. He practiced in a limited capacity last week and again on Monday.Roethlisberger said it is important to feel comfortable on the field, protect himself in the pocket and keep the swelling down on his surgically repaired knee.Im going to take it one day at a time, Roethlisberger said. When I feel healthy and ready to go, Ill be ready.Roethlisberger said the decision on whether or not he can play will be made by coach Mike Tomlin. Swelling has not been an issue so far though Roethlisberger will continue to remain in contact with team physician Dr. James Bradley and monitor his knee as he ramps up his workload.Dr. Bradley said Ive gone through this before so my body will tell me best how I feel, Roethlisberger said.Roethlisberger injured his left knee during a loss against Miami and was initially expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks following the surgery. He underwent surgery the following day and missed a home loss against New England the next Sunday, though he jogged onto the field to greet his defensive teammates and was spotted walking in the locker room without a limp.Roethlisberger began throwing passes during individual portions of practice two days later, just eight days after surgery. He practiced some with the first team and scout team on Monday, two weeks after his procedure, and again on Wednesday.Im not sure how he feels, but he looked good, offensive lineman Ramon Foster said. His health and how hes feeling, were going to determine that at the rest of the week, but he looked like Ben.The Steelers will go with fourth-year veteran Landry Jones if Roethlisberger cant play. Jones played respectably during a 27-16 loss against New England on Oct. 23, throwing for 281 yards with a touchdown and an interception.ddddddddddddm just going to prepare like I have been this whole season, Jones said. (Ben) is kind of feeling good. I dont know what his plan is this week as far as all that goes, but for me, its the same old type of deal, just preparing and getting ready to go.Jones said he is OK if it takes the entire week to decide whether or not Roethlisberger is healthy enough to start.Thats kind of what Im expecting, Jones said. Typically, thats how its worked out in the past, just seeing how he feels the entire week and then making the decision.Running back LeVeon Bell liked how Roethlisberger looked on Wednesday, but he cautioned an early return.I dont know exactly how he feels, but he looked good, Bell said. Were always pushing for him to come back, but I want him to take his time.I want to make sure hes good when he does come back and he doesnt have any setbacks, whether its in practice or a game because its a long season.Since 2004, the Steelers are 11-8 against Baltimore when Roethlisberger plays and 1-6 when he has missed, including playoffs.The Ravens have won five of the past six against Pittsburgh and 12 games in the past 10 years of the rivalry have been decided by 1 to 3 points.Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, who intends to play despite tearing his left biceps on Oct. 16, believes Roethlisberger will play.Tell Ben hes not fooling anybody, Suggs said on a conference call. Ive seen this movie too many times before. We know well see No. 7.Game notes G David DeCastro (not injury related) and C Cody Wallace (knee) did not participate in Wednesdays practice, while RB DeAngelo Williams (knee) was limited. .WR Antonio Brown (hip), OT Marcus Gilbert (ankle), DE Cameron Heyward (hamstring), S Shamarko Thomas (groin) and WR Markus Wheaton (shoulder) were full participants. Gilbert missed the previous three games, while Heyward sat out the past two. Wheaton is dealing with a lingering shoulder issue and missed four of the Steelers first seven games, including the previous two.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '