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The Life Cycle of a Cult tends to be characterized by specific steps.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or coaches introduce a new and transcendent idea pledging a panacea for struggling players.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to storm the compound in Australia. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. A lone figure, naked, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT smeared across his chest as a symbol, has stumbled from the field and is being led away with discretion to a different team in county cricket.

Do you ever miss the start, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. Love-Bombing

Team architects promise a fresh beginning, hope for a future, camaraderie, redemption together united in belief in the big idea.

What was this thing back then? A team united basking in glory. Body art. Muscles. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, England’s players insist it’s not a real term, ironically as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the excitement of the leader in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to look down and notice he’s fielding at mid-off shirtless embracing nature.

It’s the batsman often seen addressing the media, out there looking like a cheerful animal formally attired, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. Indeed, the atmosphere, initially, was only good energy.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Unity enforced by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These principles are often illogical to prove commitment.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the fury, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss seems too strong, overdone. The performance was poor during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart defensively in a short span as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by the opponent imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with aura.

Now there is the criticism, the frustration, the sense of English Test cricket as a disgrace. The opinion suggests that England don’t just need to lose, they need to lose righteously, to be cleansed, destroyed, defeated through sheer skill of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, marking his wickets with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Challenges surface from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It begins to thrive on hatred of the outside world.

In truth, a few days before the next match, we’ve entered an intriguing moment in the journey of this approach. Victory is possible in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, failure may follow. Should they fail it seems we may see the decline.

Ahead of this, a couple of points to note about this. Previously, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which proved the point because everyone knows how to confirm lack of cult status is when its acolytes react defensively denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

What has happened lately are equally notable. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, disappointed commentators, images of frustrated followers overseas disappointed by the short match, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have developed to distinguish yourselves from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, a private event, a restricted environment with two hundred years of tradition and mystery defining it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the colonial game of England, the pioneering brand. And guess what, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been isolated within this world for years. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their upbringing, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but doing it this time with a new team and a coach promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Stay present. Confront risks. But no matter how fast and far you run, you’re always basically in the same place.

With this mind, now is the time to offer compassion for the approach, to recognize its positives, that are numerous. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with