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The Life Cycle of a Cult can be characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

An inspiring figure or leaders present an innovative concept pledging a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to confront the system overseas. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. One individual, exposed, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest as a statement, has stumbled into view and is being led away in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

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

2. Love-Bombing

Movement founders guarantee a new start, a brighter tomorrow, camaraderie, success among a group with shared faith in the method.

How did it feel back then? Just men on a balcony enjoying success. Ink. Strength. Jawlines. Elite male wellness energy. Of course, The team insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, amusingly as it’s denied, what did we see?

But we know the concept. It’s the player executing a stroke so outrageous it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of the captain in ultimate mode, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, strong features, natural look, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to notice and find him positioned at mid-off bare-chested embracing nature.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission addressing the media, out there looking like a joyful figure formally attired, expressing thoughts like we’re challenging norms. And yes, the vibe, for quite a long time, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened through repetition of mantras. These principles are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Does anyone else feel? The criticism, the fury, the feeling of letdown post-defeat feels overblown, too much. The performance was poor on the field, as they often do in Australia. They were savaged defensively during a brief period when tactics failed, manipulated by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with brilliance.

Now there is the attacks, the rage, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they need to lose righteously, to be purged, destroyed, destroyed via traditional methods of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the bowler, marking achievements humbly like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Issues emerge due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

The fact remains, a few days before the next match, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the story of this movement. Victory is possible in the next Test in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, failure may follow. And if they do lose it feels like we could be witnessing the final stage.

Prior to that, a couple of points to note about this. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of optimism and energy, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which demonstrated because everyone knows the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters react defensively objecting to the questioning of the philosophy.

The developments in the last few days are equally notable. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. Social media is furious, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged supporters abroad disappointed by the short match, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, stating, hey, that thing you love and have honed to distinguish yourselves from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

Here lies the truth. All movements are similar. The approach was a phenomenon as the game has its own culture. Or at least, the sport in England is closed, a clique, an elite gathering, a closed world with centuries of ceremonial past behind it. This has always been where entry is limited. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the original sports washers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a place that literally still has a king.

England’s cricketers have been sealed up in this environment for years. Attempting to break free, to foster positivity, they are simply replicating their own experience, forming a new circle, a limited community, but doing it this time with a new team and a coach who wants you to be yourself provided you conform.

Stay present. Embrace challenges. However much you change, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, it might be appropriate to show understanding for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. What does it represent? Promoting liberation. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with