English cricket legend Sir Ian Botham was rescued by a former opponent after falling into crocodile-infested waters

Sir Ian Botham survived a fall into crocodile- and shark-infested waters after being rescued by former rival Merv Hughes.

England The cricket legend suffered serious bruises to his torso after falling into the River Moyle in Australia’s Northern Territory.

Botham (centre left) was rescued by Hughes (far left) after falling from a boat.1 credit

The England star suffered severe bruises to his torso after a fall.Credit: =

According to SunA 68-year-old man caught his flip-flops on a rope and tripped overboard during a four-day fishing trip.

He tried to leave the ship he was on and join the expedition’s mother ship.

And but for the savvy of former fast bowler Hughes, who was Botham’s nemesis during numerous encounters with Ash throughout the 1980s, the former Scunthorpe centre-back might have been a snack.

But before the crocodiles or bull sharks that inhabit this stretch of water could pounce, Hughes managed to pull him out of the water.

Despite the scary ordeal, Botham was able to see the funny side, joking that he was the British version of Crocodile Dundee.

He said: “In the end, Beefy the Crocodile survived.

“I came out of the water faster than I entered it.

“Several pairs of eyes were looking at me.

“Luckily I didn’t have time to think about what was in the water.”

The Somerset icon then praised the heroic efforts of Hughes and those who helped save him.

Botham went on a four-day fishing trip with former rival Hughes on the River Moyle.

But he almost became a snack for a crocodile lurking in the waters below.1 credit

Botham said: “The guys were great. This was just one of those accidents.

“It all happened very quickly and I’m fine now.”

Luckily for Botham, although he suffered bruises from the incident, he is expected to make a full recovery and has shown no long-term effects.

Cricket legend Jimmy Anderson says his wife would like him to still play for England after retiring earlier this year.

Although Botham is unlikely to be freed from fishing in dangerous waters in the future, judging by his interview with Guardian in 2008.

He remarked: “Fishing is my greatest passion, more than shooting or golf. I need solitude, and fly fishing, which is my passion, offers it.

“There’s definitely something about rivers, the flow of water, watching the day go by.

“I never found a section of the river that didn’t interest me.

“In London, of course, there is not much salmon fishing. Look, I’m a country boy, cities are good for a good dinner, but I can’t wait to get out of them.”