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

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or coaches present a revolutionary approach that promises a panacea for struggling players.

And so it goes. They’re getting ready to challenge the establishment down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from within. An isolated player, exposed, nervous, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently as a statement, has come staggering from the field and is taken aside in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint at Derbyshire.

Remember the beginning, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders offer a reboot, a brighter tomorrow, support, success together united in belief in the big idea.

What was this thing initially? Players celebrating basking in glory. Ink. Forearms. Determination. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, England’s players insist it’s not a real term, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear its essence. It’s the player attempting a move so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of the leader at his peak, an expression conveying: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to look down and notice he’s fielding in the field stripped to the waist embracing nature.

It’s the opener often seen addressing the media, resembling a cheerful animal smartly dressed, saying stuff like we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. A New Life

Development stage. Cohesion maintained via memorization of key phrases. These principles are often illogical to prove commitment.

Am I alone? The criticism, the anger, the sense of betrayal following the initial loss appears excessive, unwarranted. England batted badly on the field, as history shows. They were savaged in the field for a couple of hours when tactics failed, carved around by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Now there is the attacks, the anger, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The opinion suggests that England don’t just need to lose, they need to lose righteously, to be cleansed, obliterated, defeated by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, marking achievements with a bashful smile as if receiving a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

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

In truth, half a week out from the second Test, we are at a critical juncture in the journey of this movement. Victory is possible in the next Test with bold tactics. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. Should they fail it appears we may see the death cult phase.

Before that happens, a couple of points worth saying regarding this. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, a column appeared labeling it a movement. There was outrage, which was helpful as it’s known the best way of proving that it’s not a closed group is should followers respond with anger rejecting criticism of the philosophy.

Recent events lately are fascinating. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, critical analysts, images of frustrated travelling fans missing out on play, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, exists the larger scene of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have developed as part of your identity from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

And this is the real point. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or rather, the sport in England is closed, a group, a private event, a closed world with centuries of ceremonial past supporting it. This has always been where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of England, the early image-makers. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed in this system from a young age. Attempting to break free, to foster positivity, they are mirroring their own experience, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but now with a modern squad and a coach who wants you to be yourself if you fit the mold.

Live where your feet are. Embrace challenges. However much you change, you remain stuck.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. What is Bazball? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with