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

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or figureheads introduce a revolutionary approach that promises a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from within. An isolated player, exposed, shivering, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body as a statement, has come staggering through the lines and is being led away in secrecy for a temporary assignment at Derbyshire.

Remember the early days, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders guarantee a new start, hope for a future, support, salvation together united in belief in the method.

How did it feel initially? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Ink. Forearms. Jawlines. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, England’s players will claim they don’t use the label, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear its essence. It’s the player executing a stroke so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the adrenaline of the leader in ultimate mode, a demeanor suggesting: focused titan, strong features, natural look, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to notice and see him playing on the ground shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission addressing the media, out there looking like a cheerful animal smartly dressed, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the energy, initially, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Development stage. Togetherness strengthened via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs can appear contradictory to prove commitment.

Am I alone? The criticism, the outrage, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat appears excessive, too much. The performance was poor during the match, as history shows. They were dominated while bowling in a short span when tactics failed, manipulated by Travis Head imitating their style effectively, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Now there is the criticism, the anger, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be purged, destroyed, defeated by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, seen enjoying achievements modestly like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. External Conflict

Issues emerge because of mistakes. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

The fact remains, a few days before the next match, we’ve entered an intriguing moment in the lifespan of this approach. Victory is possible in the next Test in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, failure may follow. And if they do lose it seems we really might be entering the final stage.

Ahead of this, a couple of points to note about this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which was helpful since it’s clear a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers react defensively objecting to the questioning of its truths.

Recent events lately is just as interesting. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset supporters abroad disappointed by the short match, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of the host’s complex more culturally hard-wired exasperation with the aggressive tourists, claiming, your cherished traditions and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

This is the core issue. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or rather, the sport in England is closed, a circle, a private event, an insular community with two hundred years of ceremonial past defining it. This has always been where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of England, the original sports washers. And guess what, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

The team have been isolated in this system for years. Attempting to break free, to build a better atmosphere, they are just repeating their own experience, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but doing it this time with a new team and a mentor encouraging individuality as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Stay present. Run towards the danger. But no matter how fast and far you run, you remain stuck.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to show understanding for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. What is Bazball? Creating a sense of freedom. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with