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The Evolution of a Cult can be marked by distinct phases.

1. The Big Idea

A charismatic leader or figureheads present a revolutionary approach that promises a panacea for disconnected individuals.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment overseas. Tensions are rising. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. One individual, exposed, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT smeared across his chest in chicken blood, has come staggering from the field and is taken aside in secrecy for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Remember the start, when everything was fresh? The era of early Bazball, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders guarantee a fresh beginning, hope for a future, camaraderie, salvation together who all believe in the big idea.

What did it represent initially? Players celebrating basking in glory. Tattoos. Strength. Focus. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, The squad often say Bazball doesn’t actually exist, ironically since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the batsman executing a stroke so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of Ben Stokes at his peak, a look that says: focused titan, beard made of wood, natural look, truly contemporary you almost imagine to look down and see him playing at mid-off shirtless holding a fish.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission addressing the media, appearing as a cheerful animal in a waistcoat, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the atmosphere, initially, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Unity enforced via memorization of mantras. These beliefs are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Am I alone? The backlash, the fury, the disappointment post-defeat seems too strong, overdone. England batted badly during the match, as history shows. They were torn apart in the field during a brief period as plans unraveled, manipulated by the opponent batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, a man playing with brilliance.

Now there is the criticism, the anger, the view of the sport as a kind of abomination. The consensus is that defeat must be total, they should be dismantled, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, overwhelmed via traditional methods of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the bowler, marking his wickets with a bashful smile as if receiving a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

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

In truth, half a week out the next match, we are at an intriguing moment in the lifespan of this thing. Victory is possible in the next Test through aggressive play. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it feels like we really might be entering the decline.

Prior to that, a couple of points to consider on the topic. In the past, at the start, of passion and hope, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which was helpful since it’s clear how to confirm lack of cult status is if supporters respond with anger denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

What has happened in the last few days is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach has turned into a movement. We have a uniformly angry internet, angry English pundits, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas missing out on play, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance with the aggressive tourists, stating, hey, that thing you love and have honed to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

And this is the real point. All movements are similar. 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 a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. It has long been where influence is guarded. It’s the imperial sport of the nation, the early image-makers. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a system of unknown levels, a place that literally still has a king.

The players have been enclosed in this system for years. Seeking change, to foster positivity, they are just repeating their upbringing, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but now with a modern squad and a coach promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

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

With this mind, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for the movement, to appreciate its good points, that are numerous. What is Bazball? Creating a sense of freedom. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with