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

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or figureheads propose an innovative concept offering a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. Plans are in motion to storm the compound in Australia. The gunships are circling. Smoke is rising from the out-houses. One individual, exposed, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a symbol, has come staggering into view and is being led away in secrecy for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Do you recall the start, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders promise a fresh beginning, hope for a future, support, redemption within a community who all believe in the big idea.

What did it represent at first? Players celebrating enjoying success. Body art. Forearms. Jawlines. Confident masculinity. Of course, England’s players will claim they don’t use the label, which is funny because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

But we know what it is. It’s Harry Brook attempting a move so outrageous it defies description. It’s the thrill of the captain in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: focused titan, rugged appearance, hair woven from beaver hide, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to look down and see him playing on the ground shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the batsman still being allowed addressing the media, resembling a cheerful animal smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the energy, initially, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Development stage. Cohesion maintained via memorization of mantras. These principles may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The backlash, the anger, the disappointment post-defeat appears excessive, unwarranted. The performance was poor on the field, as history shows. They were dominated while bowling in a short span as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by Travis Head imitating their style effectively, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Now there is the pile-on, the frustration, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The opinion suggests that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be scoured, obliterated, destroyed through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, out there celebrating his wickets humbly as if receiving a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

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

The fact remains, half a week out the upcoming game, we are at a delicious point of tension in the story of this approach. They might succeed in Brisbane with bold tactics. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it feels like we really might be entering the decline.

Prior to that, several aspects to consider about this. Previously, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, an piece was published labeling it a movement. Criticism followed, which was helpful because everyone knows how to confirm lack of cult status is should followers respond with anger rejecting criticism of the beliefs.

What has happened lately are fascinating. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, angry English pundits, pictures of upset followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance with the aggressive tourists, out there saying, the methods you value and have developed to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, it’s just a joke ultimately.

And this is the real point. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon because cricket is a cult. In fact, the team has long been exclusive, a group, a garden party, an insular community with centuries of ceremonial past supporting it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the imperial sport of England, the pioneering brand. And guess what, the country is a phenomenon, a system of unknown levels, a monarchy still exists.

The team have been sealed up in this system for years. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their own experience, building another enclosure, an exclusive group, but now with a new team and a leader promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Stay present. Run towards the danger. Despite efforts, you’re always basically in the same place.

With this mind, it is perhaps the moment to offer compassion for Bazball, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with