'Watch' this space

The hunt is on for a stolen watch once owned by the legendary 1868 Australian indigenous cricketer Johnny Mullagh, and pawn shop dealers and collectors have been alerted to inform the Geelong police in case thieves try to sell it. The watch was in possession of the family of Charles Lawrence, the organiser of the 1868 tour to England, recognised by Cricket Australia as the first cricket team to represent Australia.

Lawrence’s great great grandson, Ian Friend, kept the watch in a safe in his office in Port Lonsdale, Victoria, from which it was stolen, along with cash. The watch apparently has no commercial value. Mullagh was one of the star players of that tour and the watch was presented to him by the Gentlemen of Sussex. It’s believed that he traded the watch for a trophy because he couldn't read the time.