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The Evolution of a Cult is often defined by specific steps.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or leaders present an innovative concept offering a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. They’re getting ready to storm the compound down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. One individual, vulnerable, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET written on his body as a statement, has come staggering through the lines and is being led away under a blanket to a different team in county cricket.

Remember the start, when the world was still young? The days of Bazball 1.0, of uninhibited aggression.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Team architects offer a new start, a brighter tomorrow, love, salvation together who all believe in the method.

What did it represent at first? Just men on a balcony enjoying success. Body art. Strength. Jawlines. Confident masculinity. Of course, The squad insist they don’t use the label, ironically since it’s not recognized, what was that spectacle?

But we know the concept. It’s the batsman playing a shot so unconventional it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of the captain in ultimate mode, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, rugged appearance, natural look, truly contemporary you almost imagine to look down and see him playing on the ground bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission speaking publicly, appearing as a happy little woodland creature formally attired, expressing thoughts like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the vibe, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

Development stage. Cohesion maintained by rote learning of key phrases. These beliefs may seem irrational as a loyalty check.

Does anyone else feel? The criticism, the outrage, the sense of betrayal following the initial loss feels overblown, overdone. The performance was poor during the match, as is typical there. They were torn apart in the field in a short span as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by the batsman batting like England but better, adjusting to the pitch, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the criticism, the rage, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be scoured, obliterated, defeated by the vengeful purity of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the low-fi orthodoxies of the bowler, marking his wickets with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a pleasant gift. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It begins to thrive on hostility externally.

In truth, approaching the upcoming game, we have now reached a critical juncture in the journey of this movement. Victory is possible in Brisbane with bold tactics. Probably, defeat could come swiftly. Should they fail it seems we could be witnessing the final stage.

Ahead of this, there are two things worth saying regarding this. Previously, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which demonstrated because everyone knows how to confirm lack of cult status is when its acolytes react defensively denying scrutiny of its truths.

Recent events lately are fascinating. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, disappointed commentators, images of frustrated travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, your cherished traditions and have developed as part of your identity from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

Here lies the truth. All movements are similar. The approach was a phenomenon since the sport itself is insular. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, a private event, an insular community with centuries of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. This has always been where influence is guarded. It’s the imperial sport of the British, the original sports washers. And guess what, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a place that literally still has a king.

The players have been isolated within this world since childhood. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their past, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but doing it this time with a new team and a coach promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Live where your feet are. Run towards the danger. But no matter how fast and far you run, you remain stuck.

With this mind, now is the time to have some sympathy for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. What is Bazball? Creating a sense of freedom. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with