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The Life Cycle of a Cult is often marked by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or leaders propose a revolutionary approach offering a solution for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. They’re getting ready to challenge the establishment in Australia. Tensions are rising. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. One individual, naked, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest as a symbol, has stumbled into view and is removed under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Remember the start, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of pure instinct.

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders promise a fresh beginning, a brighter tomorrow, love, success among a group who all believe in the big idea.

What did it represent initially? A team united enjoying success. Tattoos. Strength. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, England’s players insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what did we see?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s Harry Brook attempting a move so depraved it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of the leader at his peak, a look that says: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, hair woven from beaver hide, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and see him playing in the field stripped to the waist and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission speaking publicly, out there looking like a joyful figure in a waistcoat, uttering phrases such as we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the atmosphere, initially, was only good energy.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Unity enforced by rote learning of key phrases. These beliefs are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The criticism, the anger, the feeling of letdown after the first Ashes Test defeat appears excessive, unwarranted. England batted badly during the match, as is typical there. They were savaged defensively during a brief period when tactics failed, manipulated by the opponent imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with aura.

Now there is the criticism, the rage, the perception of the team as a failure. The opinion suggests that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be scoured, destroyed, overwhelmed via traditional methods of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the bowler, out there celebrating his wickets with a bashful smile as if receiving a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Challenges surface from failures in the plan. However, faults are ignored. It starts to feed on hatred of the outside world.

In truth, half a week out from the second Test, we have now reached a critical juncture in the journey of this thing. England could quite easily win in the next Test in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. In case of defeat it feels like we really might be entering the decline.

Before that happens, there are two things to consider regarding this. Previously, at the start, of light and heat, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which demonstrated since it’s clear how to confirm lack of cult status is if supporters respond with anger rejecting criticism of the philosophy.

What has happened recently are equally notable. Opposition to the style is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, images of frustrated supporters abroad cheated out of three days of cricket, similar to people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of Australia’s more nuanced more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured as one way of separating yourself from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

Here lies the truth. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a clique, a private event, a closed world with centuries of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the imperial sport of the nation, the early image-makers. And guess what, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a place that literally still has a king.

The team have been sealed up within this world from a young age. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are simply replicating their upbringing, forming a new circle, a limited community, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a mentor who wants you to be yourself as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Live where your feet are. Embrace challenges. But no matter how fast and far you run, you remain stuck.

Considering this, now is the time to have some sympathy for Bazball, to appreciate its good points, that are numerous. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with