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

1. The Big Idea

A dominant personality or coaches introduce an innovative concept pledging a panacea for struggling players.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to storm the compound down in Brisbane. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from within. An isolated player, vulnerable, nervous, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT smeared across his chest as a statement, has come staggering from the field and is being led away in secrecy to a different team in county cricket.

Do you ever miss the early days, when the world was still young? The era of early Bazball, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Team architects guarantee a fresh beginning, hope for a future, camaraderie, success within a community united in belief in the philosophy.

What was this thing initially? A team united enjoying success. Body art. Strength. Jawlines. Elite male wellness energy. Of course, The squad insist they don’t use the label, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so depraved it defies description. It’s the thrill of Ben Stokes in his final form, an expression conveying: pensive Nordic god, strong features, natural look, truly contemporary you almost imagine to notice and see him playing in the field shirtless holding a fish.

It’s the batsman often seen addressing the media, resembling a cheerful animal in a waistcoat, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the vibe, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. A New Life

Building period. Unity enforced via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the anger, the disappointment following the initial loss appears excessive, too much. The batting collapsed during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart while bowling in a short span as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by Travis Head imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Now there is the criticism, the frustration, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they should be dismantled, to be purged, destroyed, destroyed through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying achievements humbly as if receiving a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge from failures in the plan. However, faults are ignored. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

Ultimately, approaching the upcoming game, we are at a critical juncture in the story of this movement. Victory is possible in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, failure may follow. In case of defeat it seems we could be witnessing the final stage.

Prior to that, a couple of points to note about this. In the past, during the initial excitement, of light and heat, I wrote an article labeling it a movement. Criticism followed, which proved the point as it’s known the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of its truths.

The developments lately are equally notable. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas missing out on play, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, stating, your cherished traditions and have developed to distinguish yourselves from the opposition, it’s just a joke after all.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult because cricket is a cult. Or at least, the sport in England is closed, a clique, a garden party, a restricted environment with centuries of ceremonial past behind it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the early image-makers. And notably, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a royal family remains.

England’s cricketers have been isolated within this world from a young age. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their upbringing, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but now with a new team and a mentor encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Embrace challenges. But no matter how fast and far you run, things stay similar.

Considering this, now is the time to show understanding for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. What is Bazball? Creating a sense of freedom. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with