An elderly couple were attacked by two men while watching cricket on television in their home at Kibler Park, Johannesburg, yesterday.

An elderly couple were attacked by two men while watching cricket on television in their home at Kibler Park, Johannesburg, yesterday.

ER24 emergency services spokesman Riana Beech said two men armed with a knife and a hammer were seen jumping over a wall to the couple's house at 10.20am.

"One of them attacked the 73-year-old man with the hammer, while the other held a knife to the throat of the man's wife," she said.

"The man says he just felt a blow on the back of his head, then an unfamiliar voice demanded money."

When the man tried to prevent a second blow with his arm, his wrist was broken.

"He fell to the ground and the attacker continued hitting him on his legs with the hammer.

"When the old man realised his 71-year-old wife was being threatened with a knife, he grabbed the hammer from his attacker and started to fight back," Beech said.

"The two young men then fled, without taking anything from the house." Beech said the couple called ER24 immediately.

"When paramedics arrived at the house, the old man was sitting on his couch with a massive head injury and fractured wrist."

The man is being treated at Mulbarton Hospital. His wife was treated for shock.

Beech could not give details of the couple, saying they wished to remain anonymous for fear of being victimised.

Police are investigating. - Sapa