While moving between boats, Botham’s footwear got caught on a rope, causing him to fall into the crocodile- and shark-infested waters. He suffered severe bruising in the fall and came dangerously close to a saltwater crocodile.
Reflecting on the incident, Botham humorously said, "At the end of the day, Crocodile Beefy survived," referencing both his nickname and the Australian film Crocodile Dundee. He added, “I was out of the water quicker than I went in. 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 praised Hughes and the others for their quick action, calling it “one of those accidents.” The former England captain, widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, assured fans that he was now fine.Legendary England cricketer, Ian Botham recently shared an incredible story of how his one-time fierce rival-turned friend, Merv Hughes, a former Australia pacer, came to his rescue after a terrifying fall into crocodile and shark-infested waters in Australia’s tropical north region.