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The Life Cycle of a Cult tends to be characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or figureheads propose an innovative concept offering a solution for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. Plans are in motion to storm the compound overseas. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. One individual, naked, shivering, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a statement, has stumbled from the field and is being led away under a blanket for a temporary assignment at Derbyshire.

Remember the early days, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders promise a new start, optimism ahead, camaraderie, success together united in belief in the big idea.

What was this thing initially? A team united basking in glory. Ink. Forearms. Determination. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, The squad insist it’s not a real term, which is funny because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s the player executing a stroke so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the excitement of the captain in his final form, a demeanor suggesting: pensive Nordic god, strong features, natural look, so authentically Modern Savage you half-expect to notice and see him playing on the ground shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the batsman still being allowed addressing the media, out there looking like a cheerful animal in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the vibe, initially, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened via memorization of mantras. These principles are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Does anyone else feel? The backlash, the anger, the sense of betrayal post-defeat appears excessive, unwarranted. The performance was poor in Perth, as is typical there. They were torn apart while bowling for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, carved around by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, adaptive to conditions, a man playing with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the anger, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be purged, obliterated, overwhelmed through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the simple basics of the veteran, out there celebrating his wickets with a bashful smile similar to getting a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise because of mistakes. However, faults are ignored. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

The fact remains, approaching the next match, we have now reached an intriguing moment in the story of this thing. They might succeed overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Probably, failure may follow. Should they fail it appears we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Ahead of this, there are two things to consider regarding this. In the past, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, a column appeared labeling it a movement. There was outrage, which demonstrated as it’s known the best way of proving lack of cult status is should followers react defensively objecting to the questioning of its truths.

What has happened in the last few days is just as interesting. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, angry English pundits, shots of angry middle-aged supporters abroad missing out on play, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

Conversely, there is the broader context of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, stating, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, it’s not serious in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or rather, English cricket has always been a cult, a circle, a private event, an insular community with two hundred years of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of England, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, Britain is itself a cult, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

The team have been sealed up in this environment from a young age. Attempting to break free, to foster positivity, they are mirroring their upbringing, building another enclosure, a closed circle, however with a new team and a mentor who wants you to be yourself as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Live where your feet are. Embrace challenges. However much you change, you remain stuck.

With this mind, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for the movement, to appreciate its good points, that are numerous. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with