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The Journey of a Cult tends to be defined by distinct phases.

1. The Big Idea

An inspiring figure or leaders introduce a revolutionary approach pledging a panacea for struggling players.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to storm the compound in Australia. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from the out-houses. An isolated player, vulnerable, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT displayed prominently as a statement, has emerged from the field and is taken aside with discretion for a temporary assignment at Derbyshire.

Do you recall the start, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders offer a reboot, optimism ahead, support, success together united in belief in the big idea.

What did it represent at first? Players celebrating enjoying success. Body art. Forearms. Jawlines. Peak performance vibes. Of course, The squad often say they don’t use the label, ironically since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know its essence. It’s the player attempting a move so unconventional it has to be pixelated. It’s the excitement of the leader in his final form, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, strong features, hair woven from beaver hide, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to notice and find him positioned at mid-off bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett still being allowed to talk in press conferences, appearing as a cheerful animal formally attired, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the vibe, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Development stage. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These principles can appear contradictory to prove commitment.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the anger, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss feels overblown, unwarranted. The batting collapsed on the field, as history shows. They were savaged defensively during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by Travis Head batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Currently, we see the attacks, the frustration, the perception of the team as a failure. The opinion suggests that England don’t just need to lose, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, destroyed, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the simple basics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying his wickets with a bashful smile as if receiving a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise because of mistakes. However, faults are ignored. It begins to thrive on hostility externally.

The fact remains, half a week out the next match, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the journey of this thing. They might succeed overseas with bold tactics. Alternatively, defeat could come swiftly. Should they fail it seems we may see the death cult phase.

Prior to that, there are two things worth saying on the topic. More than two years ago, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, a column appeared calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which demonstrated because everyone knows how to confirm lack of cult status is if supporters send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages rejecting criticism of the beliefs.

What has happened in the last few days is just as interesting. It seems that hating Bazball has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset supporters abroad disappointed by the short match, similar to people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, exists the larger scene of Australia’s more nuanced more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, hey, that thing you love and have honed to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, it’s just a joke after all.

This is the core issue. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or rather, English cricket has always been a cult, a circle, an elite gathering, a closed world with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the British pastime of England, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed in this system for years. In trying to escape from it, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their own experience, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but doing it this time 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. Run towards the danger. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

With this mind, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. What does it represent? Promoting liberation. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with