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The Life Cycle of a Cult tends to be defined by specific steps.

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or figureheads introduce an innovative concept that promises a cure for disconnected individuals.

Thus we find ourselves. Plans are in motion to storm the compound down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from within. An isolated player, vulnerable, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently in chicken blood, has come staggering into view and is removed with discretion for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Do you recall the start, when optimism reigned? The era of early Bazball, of pure instinct.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders guarantee a reboot, optimism ahead, camaraderie, salvation among a group with shared faith in the philosophy.

What was this thing back then? Just men on a balcony feeling good. Body art. Strength. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, The squad often say Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands the concept. It’s the player attempting a move so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of the captain in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: focused titan, rugged appearance, natural look, genuinely raw you half-expect to glance over and find him positioned on the ground stripped to the waist and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission addressing the media, appearing as a cheerful animal formally attired, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the energy, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Unity enforced via memorization of mantras. These beliefs can appear contradictory as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The reaction, the outrage, the disappointment after the first Ashes Test defeat feels overblown, too much. England batted badly in Perth, as is typical there. They were torn apart in the field in a short span as plans unraveled, carved around by the opponent batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the attacks, the anger, the perception of the team as a failure. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, destroyed, overwhelmed via traditional methods of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, out there celebrating his wickets with a bashful smile similar to getting a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. External Conflict

Issues emerge due to setbacks. But the cult cannot admit errors. It begins to thrive on hostility externally.

The fact remains, a few days before from the second Test, we are at an intriguing moment in the lifespan of this thing. Victory is possible in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. In case of defeat it seems we could be witnessing the decline.

Ahead of this, several aspects to note regarding this. More than two years ago, at the start, of passion and hope, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which was helpful because everyone knows the best way of proving that it’s not a closed group is should followers respond with anger objecting to the questioning of its truths.

Recent events recently are fascinating. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, images of frustrated followers overseas disappointed by the short match, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

Conversely, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, out there saying, the methods you value and have developed as part of your identity from others, it’s not serious after all.

This is the core issue. All movements are similar. Bazball was a cult because cricket is a cult. Or rather, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with two hundred years of ceremonial past supporting it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the imperial sport of the British, the original sports washers. And guess what, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a place that literally still has a king.

The players have been sealed up in this environment for years. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their upbringing, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but now with a modern squad and a coach promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Stay present. Confront risks. However much you change, you remain stuck.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to show understanding for the approach, to recognize its positives, which are significant. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with