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The Journey of a Cult is often characterized by clear stages.

1. The Grand Vision

A dominant personality or figureheads introduce a revolutionary approach that promises a panacea for struggling players.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to storm the compound overseas. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from the out-houses. One individual, exposed, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT displayed prominently as a statement, has come staggering through the lines and is removed with discretion to a different team elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the early days, when the world was still young? The days of Bazball 1.0, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders offer a reboot, hope for a future, support, salvation among a group with shared faith in the method.

What was this thing at first? A team united basking in glory. Ink. Muscles. Determination. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, England’s players will claim they don’t use the label, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s the batsman executing a stroke so depraved it defies description. It’s the thrill of Ben Stokes in his final form, an expression conveying: thoughtful warrior, strong features, natural look, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and see him playing at mid-off shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

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

3. A New Life

Development stage. Unity enforced through repetition of key phrases. These beliefs are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The backlash, the outrage, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss feels overblown, unwarranted. The performance was poor during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were savaged defensively during a brief period as plans unraveled, manipulated by the batsman batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Now there is the pile-on, the rage, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The opinion suggests that defeat must be total, they must be humbled, to be purged, flame-throwered, overwhelmed through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying achievements with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Issues emerge because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to anger towards critics.

Ultimately, approaching the next match, we’ve entered an intriguing moment in the story of this thing. England could quite easily win overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it seems we may see the final stage.

Before that happens, a couple of points to consider on the topic. Previously, during the initial excitement, of light and heat, I wrote an article labeling it a movement. There was outrage, which proved the point as it’s known a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

What has happened in the last few days are equally notable. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, images of frustrated followers overseas disappointed by the short match, similar to investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, claiming, the methods you value and have developed as one way of separating yourself from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

And this is the real point. Everything is a cult. The approach was a phenomenon as the game has its own culture. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a circle, an elite gathering, 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 England, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a royal family remains.

The team have been isolated within this world since childhood. Seeking change, to foster positivity, they are simply replicating their upbringing, building another enclosure, a closed circle, however with a new team and a coach promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Focus on the moment. Embrace challenges. Despite efforts, you’re always basically in the same place.

Considering this, now is the time to show understanding for Bazball, to appreciate its good points, which are significant. What is Bazball? Promoting liberation. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with