IN CRICKET, a sport in which a young Phil Neville was tipped for stardom, the traditional etiquette has always required that a batsman walks when he’s out.

Old-school advocates of the principle insist that the man in the crease knows when he’s got an edge through to the wicketkeeper that the umpire has missed, and should duly do the honourable thing.

It’s about quaint notions of decency and honesty, both qualities associated with a man who once smashed his fair share of sixes as a school boy.

And now it seems that Neville has decided to walk when he’s out – certainly in terms of an eight-year Everton career he has cherished and would ideally have liked to extend a little longer.

After talks with David Moyes, the club captain has come to the conclusion that signalling his intent to move on in the summer is the right thing to do. He may feel that he still has something to offer in top flight football, but Neville knows that as far as the Toffees are concerned, it’s time to head for the pavilion.

But how did it come to this – out of the blue on a Tuesday morning almost seven weeks before the current season is over? He is rarely prone to hyperbole but just four months ago David Moyes described his skipper as “unbelievable”.

The Everton manager was expressing his near incredulous sense of admiration for the qualities which have long been synonymous with the Blues’ captain.

Neville had just declared himself fit three weeks ahead of schedule after a knee operation which initially raised fears of a two-month spell on the sidelines.

For many players it would have meant just that. Not Neville.

That was around Christmas, with the skipper’s 36th birthday still weeks away. But his usual ferocious work ethic and personal discipline had proved the club medical staff overly conservative in their initial prognosis.

Neville is slavish to his trade. He rises daily at 5am for rigorous yoga sessions aimed at maintaining his body’s flexibility, before ensuring he is the first at the club’s Finch Farm training ground. Ever the example.

The challenge of rehabilitation was grasped with the indomitable mantra he regularly extols on his lively Twitter page: ‘Attack the Day.’

The early return typified what Neville brought to Everton when he signed at a pivotal point in Moyes’ era in summer 2005; top-class professionalism, drive, infectious motivational powers and leadership by example. No wonder Moyes was so continually impressed by the former Manchester United veteran. A manager could hardly ask for a better captain.

It is a shame that Neville’s tenure with the armband has never featured a cup victory. Along with the long-suffering supporters, he deserved his moment of glory and footnote in the history books.

But there will be many fond highlights; that tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo, ice-cool penalties in crunch FA Cup ties against Manchester United and Chelsea, and scorching goals against West Brom and Wolves. He didn’t shoot often – but when Neville did (usually to the tongue-in-cheek beckoning of the Gwladys Street) he was capable of striking with power and accuracy.

So why is Neville now sidelined on the decree of the very man who holds him in such high esteem?

The 36-year-old has not been in the starting line-up since the disastrous FA Cup quarter-final embarrassment against Wigan at Goodison. Moyes, it seems, has made a painful but necessary decision.

In the raw aftermath of that defeat the Scot was asked repeatedly why he had included Neville, whose disastrous back-pass allowed Callum McManaman to score Wigan’s second of three devastating goals.

The Everton manager stood by his man publicly. Neville had been included for the qualities he embodies, he said, and was hardly alone in having an off-day. He felt the former England international’s leadership, organisational skills on the pitch, and experience were required for arguably the biggest game of the season.

In the aftermath though, Moyes knew he had a tough call to make. How much longer were those qualities useful when Neville’s ability to influence a game in a playing capacity was so quickly waning?

The line between an ageing player with something to give, and a passenger living on past glory can fade very quickly. Sometimes overnight.

Accepting it can be uncomfortable for all parties.

Neville, who insists he wants to prolong his playing career, will disagree – but Moyes made his call.

His captain has not figured in the squad for any of the three games since Wigan. He has not been injured. ‘Not involved!’, was his typically honest response when asked about his absence on Twitter.

It is why Neville has decided to signal the end on his own terms, a dignity he has been granted by a manager who has remained discreet except to say that his captain, like himself, will make a decision in the summer.

Neville’s mind has been made up before that though. He sees little chance of regular first team football on the horizon at Goodison, and while he still believes his body is up to the challenge he wants to carry on.

A fortnight ago he even hinted he would be prepared to drop down the leagues to extend the buzz of playing professional football.

Beyond that, it is likely a significant managerial career beckons. Some have even touted Neville as a future Everton boss. There may yet be a chance for Evertonians to bid him farewell before May however. Neville is committed until the end of the season, and is likely to be in the stands watching and cheering if he is not back in the squad at some point.

The dawn rises and early training sessions will continue for now then. Neville will still ensure every other professional at the club is aware of what is required in terms of focus and dedication, as the team still chases Europe in this increasingly watershed season. He wouldn’t have it any other way.