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The Evolution of a Cult can be characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Core Concept

An inspiring figure or coaches propose a revolutionary approach offering a panacea for disconnected individuals.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to confront the system down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Smoke is rising from within. A lone figure, naked, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a symbol, has come staggering through the lines and is removed with discretion for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Do you ever miss the early days, when the world was still young? The days of Bazball 1.0, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Initial Adoration

Movement founders promise a fresh beginning, hope for a future, camaraderie, success within a community united in belief in the big idea.

How did it feel initially? A team united basking in glory. Tattoos. Strength. Focus. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, The team often say Bazball doesn’t actually exist, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the player executing a stroke so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of the leader at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: focused titan, beard made of wood, natural look, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and find him positioned in the field bare-chested embracing nature.

It’s the opener often seen speaking publicly, appearing as a joyful figure smartly dressed, saying stuff like we’re breaking down traditions. Indeed, the energy, initially, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Unity enforced through repetition of mantras. These ideas can appear contradictory as a loyalty check.

Am I alone? The criticism, the outrage, the feeling of letdown post-defeat appears excessive, too much. England batted badly on the field, as they often do in Australia. They were savaged defensively for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, manipulated by the opponent imitating their style effectively, adaptive to conditions, a man playing with a kind of light around him.

And now we have this the attacks, the rage, the perception of the team as a kind of abomination. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, destroyed, overwhelmed through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the simple basics of Scott Boland, out there celebrating his wickets modestly like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It begins to thrive on hatred of the outside world.

In truth, approaching the next match, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the story of this movement. They might succeed in the next Test with bold tactics. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. In case of defeat it appears we could be witnessing the decline.

Prior to that, there are two things to consider regarding this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of passion and hope, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which proved the point because everyone knows the best way of proving lack of cult status is should followers send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of the beliefs.

The developments recently are equally notable. It seems that hating Bazball has now become the cult. We have a uniformly angry internet, angry English pundits, pictures of upset travelling fans missing out on play, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

Conversely, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, stating, hey, that thing you love and have honed to distinguish yourselves from others, it’s not serious ultimately.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The style was a trend since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a circle, a garden party, a closed world with centuries of opaque and ritualistic cult history behind it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the British pastime of England, the early image-makers. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

The team have been enclosed within this world since childhood. Attempting to break free, to build a better atmosphere, they are just repeating their past, creating another a bubble, a closed circle, however 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. But no matter how fast and far you run, you remain stuck.

With this mind, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. What does it represent? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with