Melbourne, Australia

Former England captain and talismanic match-winner Sir Ian Botham was saved from falling into crocodile-infested water after being rescued by Australia bowling veteran and Ashes rival Merv Hughes. The duo, friends since competing against each other during the 1980s, was on a four-day fishing trip in Australia’s Northern Territory.

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The England great Botham, 68, got his flip-flops stuck in a rope, falling into the crocodile-infested Moyle River and suffering bruises to his torso, with Bull sharks crowding the river, feeding on the scraps left behind by crocodiles.

“At the end of the day, Crocodile Beefy survived. I was out of the water quicker than I went in it. Quite a few sets of eyes were having a peep at me. Luckily, I had no time to think about what was in the water,” Botham said, as quoted by The Sun.

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Meanwhile, Botham and Hughes were crossing a passage of water to join other members waiting at the other end when this incident occurred. Botham, who is in Australia for business and charity events, said it’s just one of those accidents and that he is safe and doing fine now.

“The guys were brilliant. It was just one of those accidents. It was all very quick, and I’m OK now,” Botham continued.

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Two greats of the game

Botham and Hughes were headline makers back in the day, with their famous face-off coming during England’s 1986-87 away tour when Botham hit Hughes for 22 runs in an over during his final Test ton at the Gabba in Brisbane; however, Hughes took his revenge two years later, bowling Botham in his return innings at Edgbaston, the Ashes Australia won 4-0.

Meanwhile, both will return to the commentary box for the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025, starting with the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth on November 22.

(With inputs from agencies)