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

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or leaders propose an innovative concept that promises a solution for struggling players.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment down in Brisbane. Tensions are rising. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. An isolated player, vulnerable, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest as a statement, has come staggering from the field and is taken aside in secrecy to a different team at Derbyshire.

Do you recall the early days, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of Bazball without brains.

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders offer a new start, a brighter tomorrow, love, salvation together with shared faith in the method.

How did it feel back then? A team united feeling good. Body art. Forearms. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, The squad often say they don’t use the label, which is funny as it’s denied, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear its essence. It’s the player playing a shot so depraved it has to be pixelated. It’s the thrill of Ben Stokes at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: focused titan, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, truly contemporary you wouldn’t be surprised to notice and find him positioned at mid-off shirtless holding a fish.

It’s the opener often seen to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a cheerful animal formally attired, expressing thoughts like we’re challenging norms. Certainly, the energy, for a significant period, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Cohesion maintained through repetition of mantras. These beliefs are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Am I alone? The backlash, the outrage, the feeling of letdown after the first Ashes Test defeat seems too strong, too much. England batted badly on the field, as history shows. They were savaged while bowling for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, manipulated by the batsman batting like England but better, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with brilliance.

Now there is the attacks, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a kind of abomination. The opinion suggests that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be purged, flame-throwered, defeated by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, marking his wickets modestly as if receiving a pleasant gift. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It begins to thrive on hatred of the outside world.

In truth, approaching from the second Test, we are at a delicious point of tension in the journey of this movement. They might succeed in the next Test with bold tactics. Probably, they could lose just as quickly. In case of defeat it seems we may see the decline.

Before that happens, several aspects worth saying regarding this. More than two years ago, back in those heady early days, of optimism and energy, I wrote an article suggesting Bazball was a cult. People were very angry, which demonstrated since it’s clear a method to show that it’s not a closed group is when its acolytes react defensively objecting to the questioning of its truths.

The developments lately is just as interesting. It seems that hating Bazball has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, critical analysts, images of frustrated travelling fans missing out on play, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, stating, hey, that thing you love and have developed as part of your identity from others, it’s not serious ultimately.

And this is the real point. It’s all cults. The style was a trend since the sport itself is insular. In fact, the team has long been exclusive, a group, a private event, a restricted environment with centuries of ceremonial past supporting it. Historically, this was where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of England, the early image-makers. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

England’s cricketers have been sealed up in this environment since childhood. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are just repeating their past, creating another a bubble, an exclusive group, but now with a modern squad and a coach promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Stay present. Run towards the danger. Despite efforts, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to show understanding for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. How to define it? Creating a sense of freedom. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with