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The Journey of a Cult can be defined by clear stages.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or coaches introduce an innovative concept that promises a panacea for disconnected individuals.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment overseas. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. An isolated player, vulnerable, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a statement, has stumbled through the lines and is removed with discretion towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Remember the beginning, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders offer a fresh beginning, hope for a future, love, success together who all believe in the philosophy.

How did it feel at first? A team united basking in glory. Ink. Forearms. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, The squad insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, ironically since it’s not recognized, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear its essence. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so unconventional it has to be pixelated. It’s the adrenaline of the captain in his final form, a demeanor suggesting: focused titan, rugged appearance, untamed style, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and see him playing at mid-off stripped to the waist and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s Ben Duckett still being allowed speaking publicly, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. Indeed, the energy, for quite a long time, was only good energy.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Togetherness strengthened through repetition of mantras. These principles may seem irrational as a loyalty check.

Does anyone else feel? The criticism, the outrage, the feeling of letdown post-defeat feels overblown, unwarranted. England batted badly during the match, as history shows. They were savaged in the field during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by Travis Head imitating their style effectively, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with aura.

Now there is the attacks, the rage, the sense of English Test cricket as a kind of abomination. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be purged, obliterated, defeated via traditional methods of the bowler’s action, the simple basics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying his wickets modestly like he’s just been given a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. External Conflict

Problems arise due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

In truth, half a week out from the second Test, we have now reached an intriguing moment in the lifespan of this thing. England could quite easily win in the next Test with bold tactics. Alternatively, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it appears we could be witnessing the final stage.

Prior to that, there are two things to consider about this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of passion and hope, an piece was published labeling it a movement. There was outrage, which was helpful as it’s known how to confirm that it’s not a closed group is when its acolytes react defensively denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

The developments lately are fascinating. Opposition to the style has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, like a room full of timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, 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 in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. All movements are similar. The approach was a phenomenon as the game has its own culture. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, a garden party, a closed world with two hundred years of ceremonial past supporting it. It has long been where influence is guarded. It’s the imperial sport of England, the early image-makers. And guess what, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been sealed up within this world since childhood. Seeking change, to foster positivity, they are just repeating their own experience, building another enclosure, an exclusive group, but now with 15 cool guys and a coach encouraging individuality if you fit the mold.

Stay present. Run towards the danger. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to offer compassion for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with