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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 that promises a panacea for struggling players.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to storm the compound in Australia. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from the out-houses. One individual, vulnerable, nervous, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently as a statement, has emerged from the field and is taken aside in secrecy for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the early days, when the world was still young? The days of Bazball 1.0, of uninhibited aggression.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders offer a reboot, hope for a future, camaraderie, success within a community who all believe in the philosophy.

How did it feel at first? A team united basking in glory. Body art. Muscles. Determination. Confident masculinity. Of course, The squad often say Bazball doesn’t actually exist, amusingly as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know what it is. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so unconventional it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of the leader in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, strong features, untamed style, truly contemporary you half-expect to look down and notice he’s fielding at mid-off shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s Ben Duckett often seen to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a joyful figure in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the vibe, initially, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Unity enforced via memorization of key phrases. These principles are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The backlash, the outrage, the disappointment post-defeat seems too strong, overdone. England batted badly on the field, as history shows. They were torn apart defensively in a short span as plans unraveled, manipulated by the batsman batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, a man playing with brilliance.

And now we have this the pile-on, the anger, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be purged, destroyed, destroyed through sheer skill of the pace attack, the simple basics of the bowler, seen enjoying his wickets modestly similar to getting a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

In truth, approaching from the second Test, we are at a critical juncture in the journey of this movement. Victory is possible in Brisbane through aggressive play. More likely, failure may follow. Should they fail it appears we could be witnessing the decline.

Prior to that, several aspects to consider regarding this. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which was helpful because everyone knows the best way of proving lack of cult status is if supporters react defensively objecting to the questioning of its truths.

Recent events lately are equally notable. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, angry English pundits, pictures of upset travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, exists the larger scene of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, stating, hey, that thing you love and have developed as part of your identity from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

And this is the real point. Everything is a cult. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a group, a private event, an insular community with centuries of ceremonial past behind it. It has long been where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of the British, the original sports washers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

England’s cricketers have been isolated in this environment since childhood. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their own experience, creating another a bubble, a closed circle, but doing it this time with a new team and a leader encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. Despite efforts, you’re always basically in the same place.

With this mind, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. What is Bazball? Promoting liberation. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with