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The Evolution of a Cult is often defined by distinct phases.

1. The Big Idea

A dominant personality or figureheads propose an innovative concept that promises a solution for disconnected individuals.

And so it goes. They’re getting ready to challenge the establishment in Australia. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from the out-houses. One individual, naked, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body in chicken blood, has come staggering through the lines and is removed in secrecy to a different team elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the start, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders guarantee a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, support, salvation together united in belief in the philosophy.

What was this thing initially? Players celebrating enjoying success. Body art. Muscles. Jawlines. Peak performance vibes. Of course, The squad will claim Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the batsman attempting a move so depraved it defies description. It’s the excitement of the captain in his final form, a demeanor suggesting: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, untamed style, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and see him playing at mid-off shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the batsman still being allowed addressing the media, out there looking like a joyful figure in a waistcoat, expressing thoughts like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the vibe, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. A New Life

Development stage. Unity enforced via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These principles are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The reaction, the fury, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss appears excessive, overdone. England batted badly in Perth, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart in the field for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, manipulated by the opponent playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, a performer excelling with aura.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a failure. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be purged, flame-throwered, defeated by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the conventional tactics of the bowler, marking his wickets with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. What will this do to them?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge because of mistakes. Yet, mistakes are denied. It turns to hostility externally.

Ultimately, a few days before from the second Test, we’ve entered a delicious point of tension in the journey of this approach. England could quite easily win overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, failure may follow. In case of defeat it appears we may see the decline.

Prior to that, there are two things to consider on the topic. In the past, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, a column appeared calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which was helpful since it’s clear 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 beliefs.

What has happened in the last few days is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of people wanting fairness.

On the other hand, there is the broader context of Australia’s more nuanced more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, stating, hey, that thing you love and have developed as part of your identity from others, it’s just a joke after all.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. The style was a trend since the sport itself is insular. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, an elite gathering, an insular community with centuries of tradition and mystery supporting it. It has long been where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of England, the pioneering brand. And surprisingly, Britain is itself a cult, a system of unknown levels, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been isolated in this system from a young age. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are simply replicating their upbringing, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but doing it this time with a new team and a leader encouraging individuality as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Stay present. Embrace challenges. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

With this mind, it might be appropriate to have some sympathy for the movement, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with