Merewether Lions veteran Simon Moore unsure if he will play on this summer

Moore, 45, told the Newcastle Herald on Monday he was undecided about playing on this season, having recently handed the captaincy over to teammate Josh Geary.

Merewether host Waratah-Mayfield at Townson Oval on Saturday in the opening round of the Newcastle District Cricket Association's first-grade campaign and are expected to select their sides on Tuesday.

"It's a hard decision, but I need to let the club know so they can pick a team," Moore said.

Having debuted as a teenage wicket-keeper for Cardiff-Boolaroo in the early 1990s, Moore has earned a reputation as one of Newcastle's all-time great competitors.

But work commitments and a young family have prompted him to reassess his priorities.

"Normally in the pre-season I'll be doing a bit of running and getting in the nets, having a hit on the bowling machine," he said.

"But all I've had so far is one hit in the nets, last week.

"So part of me is thinking my time is up, but then again, I've been playing cricket for 37 or 38 years, so that's all I've known.

"I'm a bit all over the shop. But to be honest, as I sit here now, I'm not definitive either way. I need to make up my mind."

Moore has been one of the most influential captains in the history of the NDCA, which was founded in 1889.

After first assuming the reins at Merewether midway 2002-03 season, he has held aloft so many trophies he has lost count.

For the record, he has won seven two-day competitions, including five in a row between 2011-12 and 2015-16.

Throw in seven Tom Locker Cup (50-over) titles and four SCG Country Cup crowns and there would be very few players, if any, in Newcastle history to have collected more silverware than the former Australian Country captain.

Handing over the leadership to representative all-rounder Geary was something of a relief.

"I actually feel really good about that," he said. "Josh is ready to take over. He did the T20 games last year and he did a good job.

"It'd be nice if I could hang around and help him out but I'm not sure if that's going to happen or not."

Regardless of whether he lines up this season, Moore is unlikely to out of the game for long. He hopes to eventually play alongside his son Clancy when the now 12-year-old progresses to senior cricket.

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