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The Evolution of a Cult is often defined by clear stages.

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or coaches introduce a revolutionary approach pledging a cure for disconnected individuals.

Thus we find ourselves. They’re getting ready to confront the system in Australia. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. One individual, naked, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a statement, has come staggering through the lines and is taken aside with discretion to a different team elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the start, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders offer a fresh beginning, a brighter tomorrow, support, redemption among a group who all believe in the big idea.

How did it feel at first? Players celebrating basking in glory. Ink. Strength. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, The squad insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny as it’s denied, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s Harry Brook executing a stroke so unconventional it defies description. It’s the excitement of the leader at his peak, an expression conveying: focused titan, beard made of wood, untamed style, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and notice he’s fielding at mid-off bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s the opener often seen to talk in press conferences, appearing as a joyful figure formally attired, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the atmosphere, initially, was uplifting.

3. A New Life

Development stage. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The reaction, the anger, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss appears excessive, too much. The batting collapsed in Perth, as is typical there. They were torn apart in the field in a short span as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, carved around by Travis Head batting like England but better, adjusting to the pitch, a performer excelling with brilliance.

And now we have this the pile-on, the rage, the view of the sport as a failure. The feeling seems to be that England don’t just need to lose, they need to lose righteously, to be cleansed, destroyed, overwhelmed via traditional methods of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the low-fi orthodoxies of the bowler, out there celebrating achievements humbly like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

The fact remains, approaching the upcoming game, we have now reached an intriguing moment in the story of this movement. England could quite easily win in the next Test with bold tactics. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it appears we really might be entering the final stage.

Ahead of this, there are two things worth saying about this. In the past, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article labeling it a movement. There was outrage, which demonstrated as it’s known the best way of proving that it’s not a closed group is if supporters react defensively rejecting criticism of its truths.

What has happened in the last few days are fascinating. Opposition to the style is now the trend. Social media is furious, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset travelling fans missing out on play, similar to timeshare owners seeking justice.

Conversely, exists the larger scene of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, stating, hey, that thing you love and have developed as part of your identity from others, it’s not serious in the end old boy.

And this is the real point. It’s all cults. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. Or at least, the team has long been exclusive, a group, a private event, a restricted environment 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 colonial game of the British, the pioneering brand. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

The players have been sealed up within this world for years. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are just repeating their own experience, creating another a bubble, a closed circle, however with 15 cool guys and a leader promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Embrace challenges. However much you change, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for the approach, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with