Ian Botham, renowned as one of England’s most dynamic all-rounders, etched his name in cricket history with 5,200 Test runs and 383 wickets.
Recently, this cricket legend had a close encounter with danger during a fishing trip in Australia. Botham humorously admitted he was “almost the catch of the day” after his former Ashes rival, Merv Hughes, rescued him from crocodile-infested waters.
The incident took place on the Moyle River in northern Australia, where Botham and Hughes were part of a fishing group on a boat. Despite the scare, the 68-year-old in 2024 Botham escaped with only minor bruises.
Sharing a photo of a hefty barramundi fish on Instagram, Botham joked, “My catch of the day was the barra, but I nearly ended up as the catch of the day for the crocs and bull sharks… thanks to the guys for getting me out!”
Botham and Australian fast bowler Hughes were fierce rivals on the pitch in the 1980s, but they’ve become good friends over the years.
In a lighthearted reflection on the mishap, Botham likened himself to the iconic Australian character Crocodile Dundee, telling The Herald Sun, “Crocodile Beefy lives to tell the tale! I was out of the water faster than I fell in, and there were definitely a few eyes checking me out. Luckily, I didn’t have time to think about what was down there. The lads were great—it all happened fast, and I’m absolutely fine now.
Botham, whose bold style and remarkable achievements earned him a lasting legacy, retired from Test cricket in 1992, but remains celebrated as one of the sport’s true icons.