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The Journey of a Cult is often defined by distinct phases.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or leaders introduce a revolutionary approach that promises a cure for disconnected individuals.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment down in Brisbane. Tensions are rising. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. A lone figure, vulnerable, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has come staggering into view and is removed under a blanket for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Do you recall the early days, when the world was still young? The era of early Bazball, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders promise a reboot, a brighter tomorrow, love, redemption within a community united in belief in the big idea.

How did it feel at first? A team united feeling good. Body art. Strength. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, The team insist they don’t use the label, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know its essence. It’s the batsman executing a stroke so depraved it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of the captain in his final form, a look that says: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, natural look, genuinely raw you half-expect to look down and see him playing on the ground shirtless embracing nature.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, appearing as a happy little woodland creature in a waistcoat, uttering phrases such as we’re breaking down traditions. Certainly, the vibe, for a significant period, was entirely positive.

3. Expansion Period

Development stage. Cohesion maintained via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Does anyone else feel? The backlash, the outrage, the disappointment post-defeat seems too strong, unwarranted. England batted badly on the field, as history shows. They were dominated in the field for a couple of hours when tactics failed, carved around by Travis Head batting like England but better, adjusting to the pitch, a man playing with aura.

Currently, we see the attacks, the frustration, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be scoured, flame-throwered, defeated via traditional methods of the pace attack, the conventional tactics of the bowler, seen enjoying achievements modestly as if receiving a nice new fishing rod. What will this do to them?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It begins to thrive on hostility externally.

Ultimately, half a week out the upcoming game, we have now reached a critical juncture in the journey of this approach. They might succeed overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. Should they fail it seems we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Prior to that, there are two things worth saying regarding this. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of light and heat, a column appeared suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which was helpful because everyone knows a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers react defensively objecting to the questioning of the philosophy.

The developments recently are fascinating. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, angry English pundits, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans missing out on play, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, your cherished traditions and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, it’s just a joke in the end old boy.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. The style was a trend because cricket is a cult. Or rather, the sport in England is closed, a group, a private event, an insular community with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of England, the early image-makers. And guess what, Britain is itself a cult, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been sealed up in this environment from a young age. In trying to escape from it, to foster positivity, they are just repeating their own experience, creating another a bubble, a limited community, but doing it this time with 15 cool guys and a mentor promoting authenticity provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Embrace challenges. But no matter how fast and far you run, you’re always basically in the same place.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to offer compassion for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with