NSW Country skipper Jeff Cook started one of most turbulent weeks in Newcastle representative cricket history when he phoned Woolmer a month ago to ask him about coming out of retirement after his wife had triplets.

But Woolmer was dropped from the Newcastle side on Tuesday because he has not yet played club cricket for Merewether, causing Newcastle captain Moore to quit the team in protest.

Cook said the loss of the two would weaken the NSW Country Championships, which begin in Gosford next Saturday.

"You need your best players there, and those best players include your Ben Woolmers and Simon Moores in Newcastle, which is one of the reasons I asked Ben what his movements were," Cook said.

Cook also defended Moore's decision to quit the Newcastle side over Woolmer's dumping.

"I think he's a proud man and he's proud to play for Newcastle and the green cap," he said.

"I was surprised he's given it up, but Simon's the sort of bloke who stands for what he believes in, and he's backing one of his players.

"I don't think he should be hung out to dry, to be honest, because all he is doing is looking after one of his players."

Cook said the loss of Moore and Woolmer for Newcastle would make it difficult for the pair to play for NSW Country.

"It would be hard for the selectors to pick someone outside the Country Championships," Cook said. "But I, for one, would be more than happy to have a Simon Moore, whether he plays the Country Championships or not, in the NSW Country side because he is one of the best batsmen in Australian Country cricket."

Newcastle's new captain, Mark Littlewood, will have to deal with the absence of Moore when his side defend the Ewin-Tennant trophy against Illawarra at No.1 Sportsground tomorrow.

The Belmont batsman said although honoured to lead Newcastle for the time being, it was not the best way to get the "c" next to his name.