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

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or leaders present a new and transcendent idea that promises a cure for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to storm the compound down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from the out-houses. An isolated player, exposed, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest as a symbol, has emerged into view and is taken aside in secrecy to a different team in county cricket.

Remember the early days, when optimism reigned? The era of early Bazball, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders promise a fresh beginning, hope for a future, love, salvation among a group with shared faith in the big idea.

How did it feel initially? Just men on a balcony enjoying success. Tattoos. Forearms. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Of course, England’s players insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, ironically as it’s denied, what did we see?

But we know what it is. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of the leader in ultimate mode, a look that says: thoughtful warrior, strong features, untamed style, genuinely raw you almost imagine to notice and see him playing in the field shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the batsman often seen addressing the media, resembling a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, saying stuff like we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the atmosphere, for quite a long time, was entirely positive.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Unity enforced by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These principles are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The reaction, the outrage, the feeling of letdown after the first Ashes Test defeat seems too strong, overdone. The batting collapsed during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were savaged in the field during a brief period as plans unraveled, carved around by the batsman batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, a man playing with aura.

And now we have this the criticism, the rage, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be purged, flame-throwered, defeated via traditional methods of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of the bowler, marking achievements with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. External Conflict

Issues emerge from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

In truth, approaching the next match, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the lifespan of this movement. Victory is possible overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, failure may follow. And if they do lose it feels like we really might be entering the decline.

Prior to that, a couple of points to note on the topic. Previously, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which was helpful as it’s known a method to show that it’s not a closed group is if supporters send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of the beliefs.

The developments lately are fascinating. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. Social media is furious, angry English pundits, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas missing out on play, reminiscent of people wanting fairness.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the host’s complex more culturally hard-wired exasperation at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have honed as part of your identity culturally from us, it’s just a joke after all.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. The style was a trend since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, the sport in England is closed, a clique, a private event, a closed world with centuries of tradition and mystery behind it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the original sports washers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed within this world for years. In trying to escape from it, to build a better atmosphere, they are simply replicating their own experience, building another enclosure, an exclusive group, but doing it this time with 15 cool guys and a leader promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Confront risks. However much you change, things stay similar.

With this mind, now is the time to offer compassion for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. What does it represent? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with