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The Evolution of a Cult can be defined by clear stages.

1. The Grand Vision

An inspiring figure or leaders propose an innovative concept that promises a cure for struggling players.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment in Australia. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from within. One individual, naked, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently in chicken blood, has stumbled into view and is taken aside with discretion towards an inconclusive loan stint at Derbyshire.

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

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders guarantee a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, support, salvation among a group with shared faith in the philosophy.

How did it feel at first? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Tattoos. Forearms. Focus. Elite male wellness energy. Oh sure, England’s players will claim it’s not a real term, ironically since it’s not recognized, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of the leader in his final form, a look that says: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, hair woven from beaver hide, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to notice and see him playing in the field bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s the batsman often seen addressing the media, resembling a cheerful animal in a waistcoat, uttering phrases such as we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Unity enforced by rote learning of key phrases. These beliefs may seem irrational to prove commitment.

Am I alone? The reaction, the outrage, the sense of betrayal post-defeat feels overblown, overdone. The performance was poor on the field, as is typical there. They were savaged defensively in a short span as plans unraveled, manipulated by the opponent batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with aura.

Now there is the attacks, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a kind of abomination. The feeling seems to be that England don’t just need to lose, they need to lose righteously, to be purged, flame-throwered, destroyed through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the simple basics of the veteran, out there celebrating his wickets with a bashful smile similar to getting a pleasant gift. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge because of mistakes. However, faults are ignored. It begins to thrive on hatred of the outside world.

Ultimately, a few days before the upcoming game, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the journey of this approach. They might succeed in the next Test in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, failure may follow. In case of defeat it feels like we could be witnessing the decline.

Prior to that, there are two things worth saying regarding this. In the past, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article suggesting Bazball was a cult. People were very angry, which proved the point because everyone knows a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages rejecting criticism of the beliefs.

The developments in the last few days are equally notable. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, angry English pundits, images of frustrated travelling fans missing out on play, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. The style was a trend since the sport itself is insular. Or rather, the sport in England is closed, a group, a garden party, a restricted environment with centuries of tradition and mystery behind it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed in this environment since childhood. Seeking change, to foster positivity, they are just repeating their past, creating another a bubble, a closed circle, however with a new team and a mentor encouraging individuality as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Focus on the moment. Confront risks. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

With this mind, it is perhaps the moment to offer compassion for the approach, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with