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The Life Cycle of a Cult is often marked by clear stages.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or figureheads propose an innovative concept offering a cure for struggling players.

Thus we find ourselves. Plans are in motion to storm the compound down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Smoke is rising from within. A lone figure, exposed, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a symbol, has come staggering from the field and is taken aside with discretion towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Remember the start, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Team architects offer a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, love, success among a group united in belief in the method.

What did it represent back then? Players celebrating basking in glory. Ink. Strength. Focus. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, England’s players will claim they don’t use the label, ironically since it’s not recognized, what did we see?

However, everyone understands the concept. It’s Harry Brook executing a stroke so depraved it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of the captain in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, untamed style, genuinely raw you half-expect to glance over and find him positioned in the field bare-chested and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s Ben Duckett often seen speaking publicly, out there looking like a cheerful animal smartly dressed, uttering phrases such as we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the vibe, initially, was only good energy.

3. Expansion Period

Development stage. Unity enforced via memorization of key phrases. These ideas may seem irrational as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The criticism, the outrage, the disappointment after the first Ashes Test defeat appears excessive, unwarranted. The performance was poor in Perth, as is typical there. They were savaged while bowling during a brief period as plans unraveled, manipulated by Travis Head imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with aura.

Currently, we see the attacks, the anger, the perception of the team as a kind of abomination. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they should be dismantled, to be scoured, destroyed, overwhelmed through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of the veteran, out there celebrating successes humbly like he’s just been given a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise from failures in the plan. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

Ultimately, approaching the next match, we are at a critical juncture in the journey of this thing. Victory is possible in Brisbane through aggressive play. More likely, failure may follow. In case of defeat it seems we really might be entering the decline.

Before that happens, several aspects to consider about this. More than two years ago, at the start, of light and heat, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which proved the point as it’s known how to confirm that it’s not a closed group is when its acolytes react defensively rejecting criticism of the beliefs.

Recent events lately are equally notable. It seems that hating Bazball has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, critical analysts, pictures of upset followers overseas missing out on play, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have fostered and nurtured as part of your identity from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

This is the core issue. All movements are similar. The approach was a phenomenon because cricket is a cult. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a group, a private event, an insular community with two hundred years of tradition and mystery supporting it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the imperial sport of England, the early image-makers. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed within this world for years. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their own experience, building another enclosure, a limited community, however with a new team and a leader who wants you to be yourself provided you conform.

Stay present. Embrace challenges. However much you change, things stay similar.

With this mind, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with