England cricket legend Sir Ian Botham was rescued by a former Australian rival after he fell off a ship into water “infested” with sharks and crocodiles.
The retired all-rounder was on a fishing journey with former Australian fast-bowler Merv Hughes when he acquired his flip-flops caught in some roping and plunged head-first into the Moyle River close to Darwin, northern Australia.
Sir Ian, nicknamed Beefy, suffered extreme bruising to his torso after hitting the boat on his method down – however escaped a worse destiny when Hughes and fellow fishermen rapidly pulled him out.
The 68-year-old wrote on Instagram on Friday: “My catch of the day was the barra [fish] whereas I used to be almost catch of the day for all of the crocs and bull sharks…
“Thanks boys for getting me out.”
The river is thought for being infested with crocodiles, based on native media, whereas a household of bull sharks was additionally seen lurking beneath the boat as Sir Ian fell in.
Referencing the movie Crocodile Dundee, he told Australia’s Herald Sun newspaper: “On the finish of the day Crocodile Beefy survived.
“I used to be out of the water faster than I went in it. Fairly just a few units of eyes have been having a peep at me. Fortunately I had no time to consider what was within the water.”
The river that Sir Ian fell into is thought for being infested with crocodiles. File pic: iStock
The cricket commentator added: “The blokes have been good, it was simply a type of accidents. It was all very fast and I am okay now.”
Sir Ian, who was awarded a knighthood in 2020, was an on-pitch rival of Hughes throughout clashes between England and Australia within the Nineteen Eighties, however the pair have turn out to be good buddies of their retirement from the game.
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The duo have been reportedly on a four-day boat journey to catch barramundi fish when the incident occurred final week.
Sir Ian is alleged to have gotten caught within the roping whereas he and his companions have been crossing from a small boat into one other vessel.
He’s reported to be in Australia to commentate alongside Hughes on a sequence of upcoming matches, together with the primary Check between Australia and India.
He’s thought of one of England’s greatest cricketers, having notched up 5,200 check runs and 383 wickets throughout his profession.
