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

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or coaches introduce an innovative concept pledging a solution for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. They’re getting ready to confront the system overseas. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. A lone figure, vulnerable, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT displayed prominently in chicken blood, has emerged from the field and is being led away with discretion for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Do you recall the start, when everything was fresh? The era of early Bazball, of uninhibited aggression.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders promise a new start, hope for a future, camaraderie, salvation together with shared faith in the method.

How did it feel back then? A team united feeling good. Body art. Muscles. Determination. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, The squad insist they don’t use the label, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands the concept. It’s the batsman executing a stroke so unconventional it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of Ben Stokes in his final form, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, strong features, natural look, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and notice he’s fielding at mid-off bare-chested embracing nature.

It’s Ben Duckett often seen to talk in press conferences, appearing as a happy little woodland creature in a waistcoat, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the energy, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Cohesion maintained by rote learning of mantras. These ideas can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The reaction, the anger, the disappointment post-defeat feels overblown, unwarranted. The performance was poor on the field, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart while bowling in a short span as plans unraveled, carved around by the opponent imitating their style effectively, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Now there is the pile-on, the frustration, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The opinion suggests that defeat must be total, they should be dismantled, to be purged, destroyed, destroyed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the simple basics of the bowler, out there celebrating achievements humbly similar to getting a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. External Conflict

Challenges surface due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It turns to anger towards critics.

The fact remains, a few days before the next match, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the lifespan of this movement. Victory is possible overseas through aggressive play. More likely, failure may follow. In case of defeat it feels like we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Ahead of this, there are two things to consider on the topic. In the past, at the start, of passion and hope, an piece was published labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which demonstrated as it’s known the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters react defensively denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

Recent events in the last few days are fascinating. It seems that hating Bazball has now become the cult. Social media is furious, angry English pundits, images of frustrated travelling fans disappointed by the short match, like a room full of timeshare owners seeking justice.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured as part of your identity culturally from us, it’s not serious ultimately.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon since the sport itself is insular. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, a garden party, a closed world with a long history of tradition and mystery supporting it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the original sports washers. And surprisingly, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a place that literally still has a king.

The players have been isolated in this environment since childhood. In trying to escape from it, to foster positivity, they are simply replicating their own experience, forming a new circle, a limited community, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a leader promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Live where your feet are. Confront risks. 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 Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. What does it represent? Creating a sense of freedom. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with