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The Evolution of a Cult tends to be characterized by clear stages.

1. The Big Idea

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

So here we are. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment in Australia. Tensions are rising. Conflict emerges from the out-houses. An isolated player, naked, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET written on his body as a symbol, has stumbled into view and is removed with discretion to a different team at Derbyshire.

Do you recall the early days, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders offer a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, support, salvation together with shared faith in the big idea.

What did it represent initially? Players celebrating feeling good. Body art. Forearms. Jawlines. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, The team often say they don’t use the label, which is funny because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know its essence. It’s Harry Brook executing a stroke so unconventional it defies description. It’s the excitement of the leader in his final form, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, untamed style, truly contemporary you almost imagine to look down and notice he’s fielding in the field stripped to the waist embracing nature.

It’s Ben Duckett still being allowed speaking publicly, appearing as a cheerful animal smartly dressed, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the vibe, initially, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Togetherness strengthened via memorization of mantras. These beliefs can appear contradictory to prove commitment.

Am I alone? The backlash, the anger, the disappointment post-defeat feels overblown, unwarranted. The performance was poor in Perth, as is typical there. They were torn apart while bowling for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, manipulated by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, a man playing with a kind of light around him.

And now we have this the criticism, the rage, the perception of the team as a failure. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they must be humbled, to be scoured, destroyed, defeated by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the simple basics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying his wickets modestly like he’s just been given a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

In truth, approaching from the second Test, we have now reached a critical juncture in the lifespan of this thing. England could quite easily win in Brisbane through aggressive play. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it seems we may see the final stage.

Prior to that, there are two things to note about this. Previously, during the initial excitement, of light and heat, a column appeared suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which proved the point since it’s clear a method to show that it’s not a closed group is if supporters react defensively rejecting criticism of the beliefs.

What has happened recently are fascinating. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, images of frustrated followers overseas disappointed by the short match, similar to timeshare owners seeking justice.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance with the aggressive tourists, claiming, your cherished traditions and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

Here lies the truth. All movements are similar. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a group, a garden party, a closed world with centuries of tradition and mystery defining it. It has long been where influence is guarded. It’s the imperial sport of the British, the early image-makers. And guess what, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been sealed up in this environment from a young age. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are simply replicating their own experience, building another enclosure, a limited community, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a coach encouraging individuality as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Live where your feet are. Run towards the danger. But no matter how fast and far you run, you’re always basically in the same place.

With this mind, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for Bazball, to recognize its positives, which are significant. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with