Mommsen retires after 127 caps for Scotland
Preston Mommsen, the Scotland captain, on Monday (November 21), announced his retirement from cricket to pursue a career in the corporate world. Having made his One-Day International debut against Netherlands in 2010, Mommsen finished his career with 1,101 runs in 42 matches. He also made 419 runs in 24 Twenty20 Internationals, and was Scotland’s captain for most of its assignments since 2013.
“After much thought and reflection, I have taken the decision to step down as the captain of Scotland and not renew my contract with Cricket Scotland, in order to pursue a very exciting and attractive opportunity in the corporate world,” Mommsen said. “It has been an incredibly difficult decision but on that I felt I had to make at this stage in my life.”
Mommsen, who was the International Cricket Council’s Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year in 2014, scored two centuries in ODIs, both of which came against the United Arab Emirates. The 139 not out in 2014, his highest score, helped Scotland beat UAE in the final of the World Cup qualifier in Lincoln. He was named the Man of the Tournament for scoring 520 runs at 86.66. He was also in charge of Scotland when the team recorded it’s first-ever win at a global event, beating Hong Kong by eight wickets in the 2016 World Twenty20 in Nagpur.
It was to be Mommsen’s last T20 game. He played a total of 13 first-class matches, 94 List A games and 39 T20s for a combined tally of 3,642 runs including four hundreds and 16 fifties. In all, he represented Scotland 127 times. Mommsen’s last major contribution came in August this year when he made 111 not out and 80 not out in Scotland’s 2-0 win in its’ World Cricket League Championship fixture against UAE, placing it in a strong position to make it to the 2018 World Cup qualifier.
“I would like to thank everyone involved at Cricket Scotland, both past and present for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams and supporting me on my journey. I am enormously proud of what we have achieved over the last few years, and I have no doubt that the team and the organisation will continue to grow its presence on the global stage in the future,” he added. “I leave the team in a very healthy position with a world class management setup and a group of players that are demonstrating the skill and hunger to push Scotland cricket into the Top 12 in the world.
“Finally I would like to thank Malcolm (Cannon), Andy and Grant (Bradburn) for the way in which they have handled the situation and the support they have given me as I make the transition in careers.”
Bradburn called Mommsen, 29, who played Under-19 cricket in South Africa till 2007, “intelligent, well respected and ambitious” and said that his absence will be a “big loss” to the side.
“This is a bitter sweet situation for our team and for Cricket Scotland. Above all we are very happy for Preston to be offered such an exciting opportunity,” said Bradburn. “A quality experienced batsmen at the peak of his skills, consistently our fittest player, top fielder and of course our leader with a tough uncompromising attitude. Preston has proudly been a champion for the Associate game and a role model who has helped bring next tier nations to global attention, always striving to give Associate Cricket the growing credit it deserves.”
Cannon, the chief executive of Cricket Scotland, described Mommsen as an exemplary ambassador for the sport. “Preston has been an exemplary ambassador for the sport in this country and should be extremely proud of his achievements as captain of Scotland. The role comes with far more responsibility than just leading your team on the field and Preston has taken it all in his stride,” said Cannon. “He has raised the bar in the level of professionalism he has shown, whether it be with team-mates, members of the media or aspiring youngsters, he’s been a great credit to the organisation.”