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The Life Cycle of a Cult tends to be marked by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or coaches introduce an innovative concept pledging a panacea for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to confront the system in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from the out-houses. One individual, exposed, shivering, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body as a symbol, has come staggering from the field and is taken aside with discretion to a different team at Derbyshire.

Remember the early days, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of uninhibited aggression.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders promise a fresh beginning, hope for a future, love, salvation within a community who all believe in the method.

How did it feel back then? Players celebrating basking in glory. Tattoos. Muscles. Focus. Elite male wellness energy. Of course, The squad will claim Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what was that spectacle?

But we know the concept. It’s the batsman playing a shot so unconventional it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of Ben Stokes in ultimate mode, a demeanor suggesting: focused titan, beard made of wood, natural look, genuinely raw you almost imagine to glance over and see him playing in the field shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the opener often seen speaking publicly, resembling a cheerful animal smartly dressed, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. Certainly, the vibe, for quite a long time, was only good energy.

3. A New Life

Building period. Unity enforced by rote learning of mantras. These principles may seem irrational as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The criticism, the fury, the feeling of letdown after the first Ashes Test defeat feels overblown, overdone. The performance was poor in Perth, as history shows. They were dominated defensively during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by Travis Head imitating their style effectively, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Now there is the pile-on, the frustration, the view of the sport as a failure. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they must be humbled, to be purged, obliterated, destroyed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the simple basics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying his wickets humbly similar to getting a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. External Conflict

Challenges surface due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

The fact remains, approaching the upcoming game, we are at a critical juncture in the story of this thing. They might succeed in the next Test with bold tactics. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose 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, at the start, of passion and hope, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which was helpful since it’s clear the best way of proving that it’s not a closed group is if supporters react defensively denying scrutiny of its truths.

What has happened in the last few days are fascinating. Opposition to the style is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, images of frustrated followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of people wanting fairness.

Conversely, exists the larger scene of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves from others, it’s just a joke after all.

And this is the real point. Everything is a cult. The approach was a phenomenon as the game has its own culture. Or rather, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, a garden party, a restricted environment with a long history of ceremonial past defining it. This has always been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the imperial sport of the nation, the pioneering brand. And guess what, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed in this system since childhood. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their own experience, forming a new circle, a limited community, but now with 15 cool guys and a leader who wants you to be yourself as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. Despite efforts, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, it might be appropriate to show understanding for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with