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The Life Cycle of a Cult can be marked by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or figureheads present a revolutionary approach offering a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment overseas. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from the out-houses. One individual, vulnerable, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently as a symbol, has come staggering through the lines and is removed in secrecy for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Do you recall the early days, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. Initial Adoration

Team architects promise a new start, a brighter tomorrow, support, success within a community with shared faith in the method.

How did it feel at first? Just men on a balcony enjoying success. Body art. Strength. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, England’s players insist Bazball doesn’t actually exist, amusingly since it’s not recognized, what was that spectacle?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the batsman attempting a move so depraved it defies description. It’s the thrill of the leader at his peak, an expression conveying: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, natural look, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and notice he’s fielding at mid-off bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission addressing the media, out there looking like a cheerful animal smartly dressed, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the vibe, initially, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Togetherness strengthened via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These ideas are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The reaction, the fury, the disappointment following the initial loss feels overblown, too much. The batting collapsed during the match, as is typical there. They were dominated defensively during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Now there is the pile-on, the frustration, 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, flame-throwered, defeated by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, marking his wickets humbly similar to getting a nice new fishing rod. What will this do to them?

4. External Conflict

Challenges surface from failures in the plan. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

The fact remains, a few days before the next match, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the lifespan of this thing. Victory is possible in the next Test through aggressive play. Alternatively, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it feels like we may see the final stage.

Before that happens, several aspects to consider about this. Previously, at the start, of light and heat, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which demonstrated as it’s known how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers react defensively objecting to the questioning of its truths.

Recent events lately are fascinating. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, disappointed commentators, images of frustrated travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, stating, your cherished traditions and have fostered and nurtured as one way of separating yourself from the opposition, it’s just a joke in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult because cricket is a cult. Or rather, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, a private event, a closed world with two hundred years of tradition and mystery behind it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the imperial sport of the British, the pioneering brand. And guess what, the country is a phenomenon, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

The team have been enclosed in this system from a young age. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are simply replicating their upbringing, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but now with 15 cool guys and a coach who wants you to be yourself if you fit the mold.

Stay present. Run towards the danger. However much you change, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, it might be appropriate to show understanding for the approach, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with