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The Life Cycle of a Cult can be characterized by specific steps.

1. The Big Idea

A dominant personality or coaches propose a new and transcendent idea that promises a panacea for disconnected individuals.

Thus we find ourselves. They’re getting ready to confront the system overseas. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. A lone figure, naked, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET written on his body as a symbol, has come staggering from the field and is removed with discretion for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Do you ever miss the early days, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of Bazball without brains.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders promise a new start, optimism ahead, love, redemption among a group united in belief in the philosophy.

What did it represent at first? A team united basking in glory. Ink. Muscles. Determination. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, The team will claim Bazball doesn’t actually exist, ironically since it’s not recognized, what was that spectacle?

But we know its essence. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so unconventional it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of the leader in his final form, a look that says: focused titan, strong features, natural look, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to notice and see him playing at mid-off bare-chested embracing nature.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission speaking publicly, resembling a happy little woodland creature in a waistcoat, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Cohesion maintained by rote learning of mantras. These beliefs can appear contradictory as a loyalty check.

Am I alone? The criticism, the fury, the disappointment following the initial loss seems too strong, unwarranted. The performance was poor in Perth, as history shows. They were savaged in the field in a short span as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by the batsman batting like England but better, adjusting to the pitch, a man playing with aura.

And now we have this the pile-on, the frustration, the sense of English Test cricket as a kind of abomination. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, obliterated, destroyed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the simple basics of Scott Boland, out there celebrating achievements with a bashful smile as if receiving a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. External Conflict

Issues emerge due to setbacks. However, faults are ignored. It begins to thrive on hatred of the outside world.

In truth, a few days before the next match, we are at an intriguing moment in the story of this thing. England could quite easily win in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, failure may follow. Should they fail it seems we really might be entering the death cult phase.

Before that happens, a couple of points to consider regarding this. Previously, during the initial excitement, of light and heat, a column appeared labeling it a movement. Criticism followed, which demonstrated as it’s known the best way of proving lack of cult status is if supporters send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of the philosophy.

The developments in the last few days are equally notable. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset travelling fans missing out on play, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have developed as one way of separating yourself from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

This is the core issue. All movements are similar. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, a private event, a closed world with two hundred years of opaque and ritualistic cult history behind it. This has always been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the colonial game of the British, the original sports washers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a place that literally still has a king.

England’s cricketers have been sealed up in this environment since childhood. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their past, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, however with a new team and a leader promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Confront risks. However much you change, you remain stuck.

Considering this, now is the time to show understanding for the movement, to recognize its positives, that are numerous. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with