Former England cricket opponent Merv Hughes saves cricket great Sir Ian Botham after he plunges into crocodile-infested waters.

Photo Credit (Gettyimages)

The former all-rounder was fishing in northern Australia’s Moyle River when he and his old adversary both stumbled and collapsed.

An ex-enemy of England’s cricketing adversary jumped in to save cricket great Sir Ian Botham from water “infested” with sharks and crocodiles after Botham fell from a boat.

As he and former Australian fast-bowler Merv Hughes were fishing near Darwin in northern Australia, the retired all-rounder’s flip-flops got entangled in some roping, and he fell headfirst into the Moyle River.

Sir Ian, often known as Beefy, was severely bruised across the chest from crashing into the boat on his way down, but he narrowly avoided a more serious outcome thanks to the swift rescue efforts of Hughes and his other fisherman.

By Friday, the 68-year-old had nearly caught all of the day’s crocodiles and bull sharks, but the barra fish ended up being his prize capture, he posted on Instagram.

“Thanks boys for getting me out.”