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The Journey of a Cult can be defined by clear stages.

1. The Grand Vision

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

So here we are. They’re getting ready to storm the compound down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. An isolated player, naked, shivering, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body as a statement, has emerged through the lines and is removed under a blanket to a different team elsewhere.

Do you recall the start, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Love-Bombing

Team architects promise a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, camaraderie, salvation among a group united in belief in the philosophy.

What was this thing back then? A team united feeling good. Tattoos. Forearms. Determination. Confident masculinity. Of course, The squad often say Bazball doesn’t actually exist, ironically because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

Yet it’s clear its essence. It’s the batsman attempting a move so unconventional it defies description. It’s the excitement of the leader in his final form, an expression conveying: focused titan, strong features, untamed style, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to notice and notice he’s fielding in the field shirtless embracing nature.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a cheerful animal formally attired, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Development stage. Cohesion maintained by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These ideas may seem irrational as a loyalty check.

Does anyone else feel? The criticism, the fury, the disappointment post-defeat feels overblown, too much. England batted badly on the field, as is typical there. They were dominated in the field for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by the opponent imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Currently, we see the attacks, the anger, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that England don’t just need to lose, they should be dismantled, to be purged, flame-throwered, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the conventional tactics of the veteran, seen enjoying his wickets modestly as if receiving a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. External Conflict

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

The fact remains, a few days before from the second Test, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the story of this thing. They might succeed overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, defeat could come swiftly. Should they fail it seems we may see the final stage.

Prior to that, several aspects to note about this. More than two years ago, at the start, of passion and hope, a column appeared calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which was helpful as it’s known how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages objecting to the questioning of the philosophy.

The developments in the last few days is just as interesting. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset supporters abroad missing out on play, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed deep-seated frustration towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves from the opposition, it’s just a joke in the end old boy.

And this is the real point. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or at least, the sport in England is closed, a group, an elite gathering, a closed world with two hundred years of opaque and ritualistic cult history defining it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of England, the original sports washers. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

The team have been isolated in this system from a young age. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are mirroring their upbringing, creating another a bubble, a limited community, but doing it this time with a new team and a coach who wants you to be yourself as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Focus on the moment. Embrace challenges. However much you change, you remain stuck.

With this mind, now is the time to offer compassion for the approach, to appreciate its good points, which are significant. What does it represent? Promoting liberation. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with