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The Journey of a Cult can be characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

An inspiring figure or figureheads introduce a revolutionary approach offering a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to confront the system overseas. The gunships are circling. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. A lone figure, exposed, shivering, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET written on his body in chicken blood, has stumbled through the lines and is taken aside in secrecy for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

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

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Team architects promise a reboot, a brighter tomorrow, love, salvation among a group united in belief in the big idea.

How did it feel back then? A team united enjoying success. Body art. Strength. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, The squad insist it’s not a real term, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

But we know the concept. It’s the batsman executing a stroke so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of the leader in ultimate mode, a demeanor suggesting: pensive Nordic god, strong features, untamed style, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and find him positioned on the ground shirtless embracing nature.

It’s the batsman often seen to talk in press conferences, appearing as a joyful figure smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the energy, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. A New Life

Building period. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of mantras. These beliefs are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Does anyone else feel? The backlash, the outrage, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat appears excessive, too much. The performance was poor in Perth, as is typical there. They were torn apart in the field during a brief period when tactics failed, outplayed by Travis Head batting like England but better, adjusting to the pitch, a man playing with brilliance.

Now there is the criticism, the anger, the view of the sport as a kind of abomination. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they need to lose righteously, to be purged, obliterated, destroyed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of Scott Boland, seen enjoying his wickets with a bashful smile as if receiving a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

Ultimately, a few days before the next match, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this movement. Victory is possible in Brisbane with bold tactics. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it feels like we really might be entering the final stage.

Prior to that, there are two things to note about this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, an piece was published labeling it a movement. There was outrage, which proved the point because everyone knows how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes respond with anger denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

Recent events recently are fascinating. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. Social media is furious, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset supporters abroad cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of people wanting fairness.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex more culturally hard-wired exasperation at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, out there saying, the methods you value and have developed to distinguish yourselves from others, it’s just a joke ultimately.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon as the game has its own culture. In fact, the sport in England is closed, a group, a garden party, a closed world with centuries of ceremonial past defining it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

The team have been enclosed in this system for years. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their past, forming a new circle, a closed circle, however with a modern squad and a leader encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Embrace challenges. However much you change, things stay similar.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with