CRICKET legend Ian Botham survived a terrifying fall into a crocodile- infested river when he was dragged out by his Aussie former rival Merv Hughes.

The pair, close pals since their playing days, were on a fishing trip in Australia’s Northern Territory when Botham, 68, got his flip-flops caught in a rope and tumbled into the croc-infested Moyle River.

The stretch of water was also teeming with voracious bull sharks, which feed on scraps of meat that hungry crocs leave behind.

Moustachioed former fast bowler Merv, Botham’s nemesis in classic 1980s Ashes encounters, helped rescue his pal, who suffered heavy bruising to his torso in the fall.

Botham, nicknamed Beefy, was pulled clear before the crocs could pounce. He later joked that he was England’s version of Aussie movie hero Crocodile Dundee.

He said: “At the end of the day Crocodile Beefy survived.

“I was out of the water quicker than I went in it. 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 was made a life peer and the UK’s trade envoy to Australia in 2020. He was taking time out with 62-year-old Hughes on a four-day fishing trip.

They were crossing a stretch of water to join the expedition’s mothership when Botham fell in.

He added: “The guys were brilliant. It was just one of those accidents. It was all very quick and I’m OK now.”

Verbal “sledging” clashes between Botham and Hughes were legendary in their heyday.

The Australian paceman recalled being smashed all over the ground by Botham during one test and being told that the balls whacked off his deliveries could “earn frequent flyer points”.

After Botham was finally out for 138 during another test Hughes recalled the Englishman had once advised him to take up tennis or golf as they were better paid sports.

But Hughes went on to become one of Australia’s greatest and best loved players and a close pal of his former rival.

All-rounder Botham won five Ashes series against Australia and was knighted in 2007. But he has become a fan favourite Down Under.

He has been busy in Australia at business and charity events and recently joined Hughes at a chamber of commerce speaking event.

They will commentate together during Australia’s forthcoming summer of cricket, starting with the first test against India.