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The Life Cycle of a Cult can be characterized by specific steps.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or leaders introduce a revolutionary approach that promises a cure for struggling players.

So here we are. Plans are in motion to storm the compound down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. An isolated player, vulnerable, shivering, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT written on his body as a symbol, has emerged through the lines and is being led away under a blanket for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Do you recall the start, when everything was fresh? The days of Bazball 1.0, of uninhibited aggression.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders promise a reboot, optimism ahead, love, redemption among a group who all believe in the philosophy.

What was this thing at first? A team united basking in glory. Body art. Strength. Jawlines. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, England’s players insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, ironically because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s the batsman playing a shot so depraved it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of Ben Stokes in his final form, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, strong features, untamed style, so authentically Modern Savage you almost imagine to glance over and find him positioned on the ground stripped to the waist holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, appearing as a cheerful animal in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. Certainly, the energy, for a significant period, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Development stage. Unity enforced through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These ideas can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The criticism, the fury, the disappointment following the initial loss seems too strong, overdone. England batted badly on the field, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart in the field during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by the batsman imitating their style effectively, adjusting to the pitch, a man playing with brilliance.

Now there is the attacks, the frustration, the view of the sport as a failure. The opinion suggests that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, obliterated, defeated through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the simple basics of the veteran, out there celebrating successes with a bashful smile similar to getting a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Challenges surface due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

Ultimately, a few days before from the second Test, we’ve entered a delicious point of tension in the story of this approach. England could quite easily win in Brisbane through aggressive play. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it seems we really might be entering the decline.

Prior to that, a couple of points to consider regarding this. More than two years ago, at the start, of optimism and energy, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which proved the point as it’s known the best way of proving that it’s not a closed group is should followers send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

Recent events recently is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, exists the larger scene of Australia’s more nuanced more culturally hard-wired exasperation with the aggressive tourists, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have honed to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. The style was a trend as the game has its own culture. In fact, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, a garden party, an insular community with two hundred years of tradition and mystery supporting it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the colonial game of the British, the pioneering brand. And guess what, the nation has its own culture, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a royal family remains.

The team have been isolated in this environment for years. Attempting to break free, to build a better atmosphere, they are simply replicating their upbringing, building another enclosure, an exclusive group, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a mentor encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Confront risks. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with