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The Life Cycle of a Cult is often characterized by clear stages.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or figureheads propose a revolutionary approach that promises a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. They’re getting ready to storm the compound overseas. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. A lone figure, exposed, nervous, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has emerged into view and is taken aside under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Do you ever miss the start, when everything was fresh? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Team architects promise a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, camaraderie, success together united in belief in the method.

What was this thing initially? Just men on a balcony basking in glory. Ink. Forearms. Jawlines. Elite male wellness energy. Of course, England’s players will claim they don’t use the label, amusingly as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s the batsman playing a shot so unconventional it has to be pixelated. It’s the excitement of the leader at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: focused titan, beard made of wood, untamed style, truly contemporary you half-expect to notice and find him positioned on the ground bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett often seen speaking publicly, resembling a joyful figure smartly dressed, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the vibe, for a significant period, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened via memorization of mantras. These beliefs can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The reaction, the fury, the sense of betrayal after the first Ashes Test defeat appears excessive, overdone. The performance was poor during the match, as is typical there. They were dominated in the field for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, 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 perception of the team as a failure. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be purged, obliterated, overwhelmed via traditional methods of the pace attack, the simple basics of the bowler, out there celebrating his wickets modestly as if receiving a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge due to setbacks. However, faults are ignored. It begins to thrive on hatred of the outside world.

The fact remains, half a week out from the second Test, we have now reached a critical juncture in the journey of this movement. Victory is possible in Brisbane with bold tactics. More likely, failure may follow. Should they fail it seems we may see the decline.

Prior to that, several aspects to note on the topic. Previously, at the start, of light and heat, I wrote an article suggesting Bazball was a cult. People were very angry, which demonstrated as it’s known how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes respond with anger denying scrutiny of its truths.

What has happened recently is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset supporters abroad disappointed by the short match, similar to people wanting fairness.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, stating, hey, that thing you love and have honed as one way of separating yourself from others, it’s just a joke in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, an elite gathering, an insular community with centuries of tradition and mystery defining it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of the British, the pioneering brand. And guess what, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been enclosed in this system from a young age. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their upbringing, creating another a bubble, an exclusive group, however with a new team and a mentor encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Confront risks. However much you change, things stay similar.

With this mind, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for the movement, to recognize its positives, that are numerous. What does it represent? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with