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The Journey of a Cult is often marked by specific steps.

1. The Big Idea

A dominant personality or figureheads introduce a revolutionary approach that promises a solution for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to confront the system in Australia. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from the out-houses. A lone figure, exposed, shivering, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a symbol, has emerged through the lines and is removed with discretion for a temporary assignment at Derbyshire.

Remember the beginning, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Team architects offer a fresh beginning, hope for a future, support, redemption among a group with shared faith in the big idea.

What did it represent initially? A team united feeling good. Tattoos. Strength. Focus. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, England’s players insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny because if it doesn’t exist, what did we see?

But we know what it is. It’s the player executing a stroke so depraved it has to be pixelated. It’s the excitement of Ben Stokes in ultimate mode, a demeanor suggesting: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, untamed style, truly contemporary you half-expect to glance over and notice he’s fielding at mid-off bare-chested embracing nature.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission addressing the media, resembling a joyful figure formally attired, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the vibe, for quite a long time, was only good energy.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Cohesion maintained via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The reaction, the fury, the disappointment following the initial loss seems too strong, too much. The batting collapsed on the field, as they often do in Australia. They were savaged defensively during a brief period when tactics failed, carved around by Travis Head batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, an athlete shining with a kind of light around him.

And now we have this the pile-on, the frustration, the sense of English Test cricket as a disgrace. The opinion suggests that defeat must be total, they should be dismantled, to be scoured, flame-throwered, defeated by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the simple basics of the veteran, seen enjoying his wickets modestly like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Challenges surface because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on hatred of the outside world.

In truth, half a week out from the second Test, we have now reached an intriguing moment in the story of this movement. They might succeed in Brisbane with bold tactics. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. In case of defeat it feels like we really might be entering the final stage.

Ahead of this, several aspects to consider regarding this. Previously, during the initial excitement, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which proved the point since it’s clear how to confirm that it’s not a closed group is should followers respond with anger denying scrutiny of its truths.

Recent events recently is just as interesting. Opposition to the style is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, critical analysts, pictures of upset travelling fans missing out on play, similar to people wanting fairness.

Conversely, there is the broader context of Australia’s more nuanced deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, stating, the methods you value and have fostered and nurtured as one way of separating yourself from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

Here lies the truth. All movements are similar. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, a garden party, an insular community with two hundred years of opaque and ritualistic cult history behind it. This has always been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the colonial game of England, the original sports washers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

The team have been enclosed within this world for years. Seeking change, to foster positivity, they are simply replicating their upbringing, building another enclosure, an exclusive group, but now with 15 cool guys and a leader promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

Focus on the moment. Embrace challenges. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

With this mind, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for Bazball, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with