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The Journey of a Cult can be characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Core Concept

A dominant personality or leaders introduce an innovative concept that promises a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. They’re getting ready to confront the system in Australia. Tensions are rising. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. One individual, naked, shivering, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest as a symbol, has come staggering into view and is taken aside with discretion towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Do you recall the beginning, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders promise a new start, optimism ahead, love, salvation among a group who all believe in the philosophy.

How did it feel initially? Players celebrating basking in glory. Ink. Strength. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, The squad insist it’s not a real term, amusingly as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know its essence. It’s the player playing a shot so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the thrill of the captain at his peak, a look that says: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, hair woven from beaver hide, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and see him playing in the field stripped to the waist embracing nature.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission speaking publicly, resembling a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was entirely positive.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These ideas are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The criticism, the fury, the disappointment post-defeat feels overblown, unwarranted. The batting collapsed on the field, as history shows. They were dominated while bowling in a short span as plans unraveled, carved around by the batsman imitating their style effectively, adaptive to conditions, an athlete shining with brilliance.

And now we have this the criticism, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The opinion suggests that England don’t just need to lose, they must be humbled, to be purged, destroyed, destroyed by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, out there celebrating successes modestly like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Issues emerge because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on hatred of the outside world.

Ultimately, approaching the upcoming game, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the lifespan of this movement. England could quite easily win in Brisbane with bold tactics. Probably, failure may follow. In case of defeat it feels like we could be witnessing the final stage.

Prior to that, several aspects to note about this. More than two years ago, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, I wrote an article suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which proved the point because everyone knows how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes react defensively denying scrutiny of its truths.

Recent events lately is just as interesting. It seems that hating Bazball has now become the cult. We have a uniformly angry internet, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset followers overseas disappointed by the short match, similar to timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced more culturally hard-wired exasperation with the aggressive tourists, out there saying, the methods you value and have developed as one way of separating yourself from others, it’s not serious after all.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, a garden party, an insular community with a long history of ceremonial past supporting it. Historically, this was a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the British pastime of England, the original sports washers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

The team have been enclosed in this system for years. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their own experience, creating another a bubble, an exclusive group, but now with 15 cool guys and a mentor promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. But no matter how fast and far you run, you remain stuck.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to have some sympathy for Bazball, to recognize its positives, that are numerous. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with