Age-gap relationships, a topic that always sparks debate, have found their way into the world of sports, with Aussie cricket legend Peter Siddle becoming the unexpected subject of some lighthearted, yet pointed, jokes.
Siddle's relationship with Hannah Burgess, which has been going strong for over a year, recently became fodder for a popular sports podcast. It all started innocently enough when Burgess congratulated Siddle on reaching his 100th Big Bash game. But, as they say, the internet never forgets, and in this case, it was the perfect setup for some playful banter.
On the 'Off-Field Drama' podcast, hosts Stirling Farquhar and Samuel Burke seized the opportunity to inject some humor into the situation. They used Burgess's post as a springboard for a series of jokes, cleverly referencing Siddle's age. Farquhar quipped, "Peter Siddle, they’re calling him Nathan Cleary… yeah, 40/20," drawing a parallel to Cleary's prowess in rugby. The hosts highlighted the age difference, humorously pointing out that Siddle is 40 (though he's actually 41, as the episode mistakenly stated) and his partner is 20.
But here's where it gets controversial... Burke added, "Well, allegedly… I think it’d be hard for the dad to be greeting her [sic] f***ing daughter’s boyfriend… and could be bowling a bit of chin music at the Christmas lunch." Farquhar then added another layer of humor, saying, "You’ve gotta think, when he [Siddle] bowled his hat-trick ball in 2010, his missus was getting picked up from preschool."
It's worth noting that Burgess is likely older than 20, as she recently graduated from university. However, the comments section on her Instagram post was filled with similar jokes, which she embraced with good humor. She even commented, "Guess which one of us played their 100th big bash game and which one turned 20 something!"
Siddle and Burgess haven't shied away from sharing their relationship with the world. Siddle first appeared on her Instagram on November 25, 2024, and since then, they've documented their travels and shared moments from the Big Bash. Burgess is the first partner Siddle has gone public with since his split from his wife of five years, Anna Weatherlake, in August 2022.
What do you think? Is age just a number, or do you find these jokes a bit offside? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
