Legendary England cricketer Sir Ian Botham was saved by former Australian Cricketer Merv Hughes. Botham fell into a crocodile-infested river in Australia.
The incident happened around 200 kilometres south of Darwin on the Moyle River. Botham recently shared this incident, in which Merv Hughes, a fierce rival of Botham during their playing days, saved him.
Both were on a four-day fishing tour when Botham fell into a river full of crocodiles and sharks. While attempting to move through boats, Botham’s footwear got caught in a rope. This eventually resulted in the former England cricketer tumbling and falling into the river. He suffered from severe bruises and a close call with a saltwater crocodile.
Botham’s nickname was “Beefy” and he jokingly reflected on the incident saying, “At the end of the day Crocodile Beefy survived”.
“I am OK now”: Sir Ian Botham
Botham further said, “I was out of the water quicker than I went in. Quite a few sets of [crocodile] eyes were having a peep at me. Luckily I had no time to think about what was in the water”
“The guys were brilliant, it was just one of those accidents. It was all very quick and I’m OK now”, the English all-rounder concluded.
It is important to note that there are about 200,000 crocodiles in Australia, especially in the northern territory. The Moyle River is known to have 5 crocodiles per square kilometre. Botham’s incident was quite horrifying and it’s great that he got out safely.
Botham is one of the best all-rounders in the history of cricket. He has 5200 runs in 102 tests at an average of 33.54. He has 14 hundred and 22 fifties to his name. Botham picked up 383 wickets at an average of 28.40. The former all-rounder has 17 four-wicket hauls, 27 five-wicket hauls and 4 ten-wicket hauls in his career.
Former Australian pacer, Merv Hughes who saved Botham has played 53 tests for Australia. He has 212 wickets to his name at an average of 28.38.
