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The Life Cycle of a Cult tends to be characterized by clear stages.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or leaders introduce an innovative concept pledging a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. A lone figure, exposed, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT smeared across his chest as a symbol, has stumbled into view and is removed in secrecy for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Remember the start, when everything was fresh? The era of early Bazball, of uninhibited aggression.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders offer a reboot, hope for a future, camaraderie, success together who all believe in the big idea.

What did it represent back then? Just men on a balcony enjoying success. Ink. Forearms. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, England’s players will claim they don’t use the label, which is funny because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

But we know the concept. It’s the batsman playing a shot so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the excitement of the leader in ultimate mode, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, untamed style, genuinely raw you almost imagine to glance over and see him playing in the field stripped to the waist and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the opener still being allowed speaking publicly, appearing as a happy little woodland creature smartly dressed, uttering phrases such as we’re breaking down traditions. Indeed, the energy, for a significant period, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Cohesion maintained by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These principles can appear contradictory as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The criticism, the outrage, the sense of betrayal post-defeat seems too strong, unwarranted. The batting collapsed in Perth, as is typical there. They were dominated while bowling in a short span when tactics failed, outplayed by Travis Head imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, a man playing with aura.

Now there is the pile-on, the frustration, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they must be humbled, to be scoured, flame-throwered, defeated by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the simple basics of the veteran, marking achievements humbly like he’s just been given a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. Hate Bonding

Challenges surface due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

Ultimately, half a week out the upcoming game, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the journey of this movement. They might succeed in the next Test with bold tactics. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. In case of defeat it feels like we really might be entering the decline.

Prior to that, there are two things to consider on the topic. Previously, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which demonstrated since it’s clear a method to show that it’s not a closed group is when its acolytes respond with anger objecting to the questioning of its truths.

What has happened lately is just as interesting. Opposition to the style is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, shots of angry middle-aged supporters abroad cheated out of three days of cricket, like a room full of investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced more culturally hard-wired exasperation towards the unconventional visitors, claiming, your cherished traditions and have developed as part of your identity from others, it’s just a joke in the end old boy.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. Bazball was a cult because cricket is a cult. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, a private event, a restricted environment with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of England, the early image-makers. And guess what, the country is a phenomenon, a system of unknown levels, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been isolated in this system for years. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are simply replicating their past, creating another a bubble, a closed circle, but doing it this time with a modern squad and a leader who wants you to be yourself provided you conform.

Live where your feet are. Embrace challenges. But no matter how fast and far you run, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, it might be appropriate to show understanding for the approach, to recognize its positives, that are numerous. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with