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The Life Cycle of a Cult tends to be marked by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or figureheads present a revolutionary approach pledging a panacea for disconnected individuals.

Thus we find ourselves. They’re getting ready to challenge the establishment overseas. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from the out-houses. One individual, vulnerable, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest as a symbol, has emerged from the field and is removed under a blanket to a different team at Derbyshire.

Remember the beginning, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Love-Bombing

Movement founders promise a new start, optimism ahead, camaraderie, salvation within a community united in belief in the philosophy.

What did it represent at first? A team united enjoying success. Body art. Muscles. Determination. Elite male wellness energy. Of course, England’s players will claim Bazball doesn’t actually exist, ironically because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

But we know what it is. It’s Harry Brook executing a stroke so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the excitement of the leader in ultimate mode, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, natural look, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and see him playing at mid-off shirtless embracing nature.

It’s the batsman often seen addressing the media, appearing as a cheerful animal in a waistcoat, expressing thoughts like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the vibe, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the fury, the disappointment post-defeat seems too strong, overdone. England batted badly in Perth, as history shows. They were torn apart defensively in a short span as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by Travis Head batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, an athlete shining with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the criticism, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, flame-throwered, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying successes with a bashful smile as if receiving a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Challenges surface due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hatred of the outside world.

In truth, half a week out from the second Test, we’ve entered a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this thing. England could quite easily win overseas with bold tactics. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it appears we could be witnessing the final stage.

Prior to that, there are two things to consider regarding this. In the past, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, I wrote an article suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which proved the point since it’s clear how to confirm lack of cult status is should followers send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages rejecting criticism of its truths.

Recent events recently are fascinating. Opposition to the style has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, pictures of upset supporters abroad cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of people wanting fairness.

On the other hand, exists the larger scene of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have fostered and nurtured as part of your identity from the opposition, it’s just a joke in the end old boy.

And this is the real point. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult because cricket is a cult. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, an elite gathering, an insular community with two hundred years of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of England, the early image-makers. And guess what, Britain is itself a cult, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

The team have been sealed up in this environment since childhood. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their own experience, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a coach encouraging individuality if you fit the mold.

Live where your feet are. Confront risks. Despite efforts, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to have some sympathy for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with