Ian Botham falls into crocodile infested river in terrifying incident alongside Ashes rival

England cricket legend was saved from a crocodile attack by his former rival .

The 68-year-old was on a fishing trip in ’s Northern Territory when the incident happened. Botham and Hughes were both in the midst of a four-day fishing trip and were crossing a stretch of the river to the expedition’s mothership when Botham took a tumble.

He got his flip-flops caught on a rope and fell into the Moyle River. The river is infested with crocodiles, with some taking a fancy to the former cricketer. There is also a number of bull sharks, who may have also been interested in a chomp.

But luckily, Botham’s former Ashes rival Hughes intervened and dragged him out of water before the animals could pounce. Fortunately, the only injury that Botham sustained was bruising to his torso.

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Opening up on the incident, the former all-rounder said: “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.”

Fortunately, Botham has shown no lasting effects and praised those who rescued him. He added: “The guys were brilliant. It was just one of those accidents. It was all very quick and I’m OK now.”

The incident looks unlikely to put Botham off his long-term fishing hobby. He has been taking to rivers since a young age and continued throughout his career.

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Speaking in an interview with , he said: “More than shooting or , fishing is my biggest passion. I need solitude, and fly-fishing, which fascinates me, offers that.

“There is definitely something about rivers, the flow of water, watching on as the day goes by... I've never found a stretch of river that hasn't somehow interested me.

“There certainly isn't much salmon fishing down in London. Look, I'm a country boy, cities are fine for a good dinner, but I can't wait to get away from them.”

After saving Botham, Hughes is set to be reunited with his pal once more as they commentate together on Australia’s upcoming summer cricket schedule. They kick off a packed fixture list with the first Test against India.

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