Former England cricket legend Ian Botham narrowly escaped becoming a crocodile’s snack during a fishing trip in Australia—thanks to the quick reflexes of his old Ashes rival, Merv Hughes.
The 68-year-old, known fondly as “Beefy,” was enjoying a four-day barramundi fishing expedition in the Northern Territory with Hughes, 62, when a moment of clumsiness turned into a near-death experience. Botham’s flip-flops got tangled in some ropes as he stepped onto a boat, sending him tumbling into the crocodile-infested Moyle River.
Hughes and the other fishermen quickly pulled Botham out of the water, sparing him from the hungry eyes of the local wildlife. The river, notorious for its crocodiles and bull sharks, was no place for a leisurely swim.
Botham later joked about the ordeal, saying:
“My catch of the day was a barra [fish], but I was nearly catch of the day for the crocs and bull sharks. At the end of the day, Crocodile Beefy survived. I was out of the water faster than I fell in! A few sets of eyes were definitely sizing me up, but luckily, I didn’t have time to think about it.”
The cricketing legend suffered some bruises on his torso from hitting the boat on his way down but emerged otherwise unscathed. Reflecting on the accident, he added:
“The guys were brilliant. It all happened so quickly, but I’m okay now.”
Botham and Hughes have been close friends since retiring from cricket, despite their fierce on-field rivalry in the 1980s. Their camaraderie was evident as Hughes leaped into action to rescue his mate without hesitation.
The trip was part of Botham’s visit to Australia for charity events and business engagements. He had recently shared the stage with Hughes at a speaking event and was reportedly in the country to commentate on upcoming cricket matches.
From the cricket pitch to crocodile-filled rivers, Ian Botham’s adventures seem never to lack drama—and thankfully, the legendary fast-bowler Hughes was there to save the day.
