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The Evolution of a Cult can be marked by distinct phases.

1. The Core Concept

A dominant personality or figureheads propose a new and transcendent idea pledging a cure for disconnected individuals.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to confront the system in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. An isolated player, naked, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET written on his body as a symbol, has emerged into view and is removed in secrecy to a different team at Derbyshire.

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

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders guarantee a fresh beginning, a brighter tomorrow, camaraderie, success together united in belief in the big idea.

What did it represent initially? Players celebrating basking in glory. Tattoos. Forearms. Jawlines. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, England’s players insist they don’t use the label, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear its essence. It’s Harry Brook executing a stroke so depraved it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of the leader in his final form, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, untamed style, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and notice he’s fielding at mid-off bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s the opener still being allowed to talk in press conferences, appearing as a joyful figure smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was entirely positive.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Unity enforced via memorization of key phrases. These beliefs may seem irrational to prove commitment.

Is it just me? The criticism, the anger, the disappointment following the initial loss feels overblown, too much. England batted badly during the match, as is typical there. They were torn apart defensively for a couple of hours when tactics failed, outplayed by the batsman batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the anger, the perception of the team as a failure. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be scoured, destroyed, destroyed through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the simple basics of the veteran, marking achievements modestly similar to getting a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. The Backlash Phase

Challenges surface from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hatred of the outside world.

Ultimately, approaching the next match, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the lifespan of this approach. Victory is possible overseas through aggressive play. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. Should they fail it feels like we may see the decline.

Before that happens, several aspects worth saying on the topic. Previously, at the start, of passion and hope, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which proved the point as it’s known how to confirm lack of cult status is should followers send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

What has happened in the last few days are fascinating. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, angry English pundits, images of frustrated followers overseas missing out on play, similar to investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, exists the larger scene of the opponent’s mixed more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured as part of your identity culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

And this is the real point. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult because cricket is a cult. Or rather, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, a private event, a restricted environment with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the colonial game of England, the early image-makers. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

The team have been isolated in this environment for years. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are simply replicating their past, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but doing it this time with a new team and a coach who wants you to be yourself as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Live where your feet are. Run towards the danger. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for the movement, to appreciate its good points, that are numerous. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with