Josh Hazlewood signs with IPL's Royal Challengers Bangalore but someone's nicked his sign in Bendemeer

The 'Hometown of Josh Hazlewood' sign, proudly displayed at the entrance to the otherwise unassuming town off the New England Highway, has been stolen.

As Australian cricket legend Josh Hazlewood signed off on a $1.44 million deal to join Royal Challengers Bangalore on the first day of the Indian Premier League auction, a thief has left his supporters at home stumped.

Anne Doak, secretary of the Grey Fergie Tractor Muster Committee, said hours of fundraising went into securing the sign - all that's left is a frame and 16 screws scattered across the ground.

READ MORE:

"Anger was my initial reaction, but I'm very disappointed now - this sign had become iconic," she said.

"It's just disappointing, you work so hard to make improvements and do things like this and someone thinks it's their right to take it.

"It leaves a sour taste in your mouth."

The committee paid for the sign in 2018 to celebrate Hazlewood's contribution to the local sporting communities.

It's helped raise the profile of the village, with a population of about 500 people, and has seen travellers veer off the highway in the NSW New England region to check out where the Australian fast bowler grew up.

Hazlewood's father Trevor installed the sign himself, and believes it was likely taken by an out-of-towner, after Bendemeer hosted its rodeo at the weekend.

"I've been looking in the gullies to try to find it, whether it was a jealous streak or something that made someone take it, I don't know," he said.

"It's not a memento you can put on your wall - it says 'Hometown of Josh Hazlewood' on it, why would you want to have it out the back of 'oop woop?

"At least they didn't steal my frame, that's concreted in so they can't take that."

The matter has been reported to local police. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.