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

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or coaches introduce a new and transcendent idea offering a solution for struggling players.

So here we are. They’re getting ready to confront the system down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. A lone figure, exposed, shivering, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET displayed prominently in chicken blood, has stumbled through the lines and is taken aside in secrecy for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Do you recall the early days, when everything was fresh? The era of early Bazball, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders guarantee a reboot, optimism ahead, love, success among a group united in belief in the big idea.

What was this thing at first? A team united basking in glory. Body art. Strength. Focus. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, The team will claim it’s not a real term, which is funny because if it doesn’t exist, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear the concept. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of the leader in ultimate mode, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, natural look, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and see him playing in the field bare-chested and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission speaking publicly, appearing as a cheerful animal smartly dressed, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. Certainly, the energy, initially, was entirely positive.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Cohesion maintained through repetition of mantras. These beliefs may seem irrational to prove commitment.

Is it just me? The reaction, the outrage, the sense of betrayal following the initial loss feels overblown, overdone. The performance was poor on the field, as history shows. They were torn apart defensively for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, carved around by Travis Head batting like England but better, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Now there is the attacks, the frustration, the sense of English Test cricket as a disgrace. The consensus is that England don’t just need to lose, they must be humbled, to be purged, obliterated, overwhelmed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the low-fi orthodoxies of the bowler, out there celebrating achievements humbly similar to getting a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. External Conflict

Problems arise because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

Ultimately, half a week out from the second Test, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the lifespan of this thing. They might succeed in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, failure may follow. In case of defeat it feels like we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Ahead of this, several aspects worth saying about this. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of light and heat, an piece was published suggesting Bazball was a cult. There was outrage, which demonstrated as it’s known how to confirm that it’s not a closed group is should followers react defensively denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

The developments in the last few days are equally notable. Opposition to the style is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, angry English pundits, pictures of upset supporters abroad cheated out of three days of cricket, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

Meanwhile, 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 part of your identity culturally from us, it’s just a joke after all.

And this is the real point. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or rather, the sport in England is closed, a clique, an elite gathering, a closed world with centuries of ceremonial past supporting it. This has always been where influence is guarded. It’s the imperial sport of the British, the pioneering brand. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

The players have been isolated within this world from a young age. In trying to escape from it, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their past, building another enclosure, a limited community, however with a modern squad and a coach who wants you to be yourself provided you conform.

Stay present. Run towards the danger. Despite efforts, you’re always basically in the same place.

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. What does it represent? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with