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The Journey of a Cult tends to be characterized by specific steps.

1. The Big Idea

An inspiring figure or coaches introduce an innovative concept offering a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment down in Brisbane. Tensions are rising. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. An isolated player, vulnerable, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a statement, has stumbled from the field and is taken aside under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Remember the beginning, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. Initial Adoration

Movement founders promise a fresh beginning, hope for a future, love, redemption together with shared faith in the philosophy.

What did it represent back then? Players celebrating feeling good. Tattoos. Forearms. Focus. Elite male wellness energy. Oh sure, The squad often say it’s not a real term, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the player playing a shot so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of Ben Stokes in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, untamed style, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to look down and find him positioned in the field stripped to the waist holding a fish.

It’s the batsman still being allowed to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the vibe, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. A New Life

Growth phase. Cohesion maintained through repetition of key phrases. These beliefs are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The criticism, the fury, the disappointment post-defeat feels overblown, unwarranted. The batting collapsed in Perth, as history shows. They were torn apart defensively in a short span when tactics failed, outplayed by the opponent imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with aura.

Now there is the pile-on, the rage, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The opinion suggests that England don’t just need to lose, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, obliterated, overwhelmed via traditional methods of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, marking his wickets humbly as if receiving a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

Ultimately, approaching the next match, we have now reached an intriguing moment in the lifespan of this movement. Victory is possible in the next Test in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. In case of defeat it appears we really might be entering the death cult phase.

Before that happens, there are two things to consider on the topic. More than two years ago, at the start, of light and heat, a column appeared suggesting Bazball was a cult. People were very angry, which was helpful because everyone knows a method to show lack of cult status is when its acolytes react defensively denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

The developments in the last few days is just as interesting. Opposition to the style has now become the cult. Social media is furious, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas disappointed by the short match, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced deep-seated frustration towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, your cherished traditions and have honed as part of your identity culturally from us, 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 since the sport itself is insular. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a circle, a garden party, a restricted environment with a long history of ceremonial past defining it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the early image-makers. And notably, the country is a phenomenon, a system of unknown levels, a place that literally still has a king.

The players have been enclosed within this world from a young age. Attempting to break free, to build a better atmosphere, they are simply replicating their upbringing, forming a new circle, a closed circle, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a mentor promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Live where your feet are. Confront risks. But no matter how fast and far you run, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to have some sympathy for the approach, to recognize its positives, that are numerous. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with