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The Journey of a Cult can be defined by distinct phases.

1. The Core Concept

An inspiring figure or leaders introduce an innovative concept offering a solution for struggling players.

And so it goes. They’re getting ready to storm the compound in Australia. The gunships are circling. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. A lone figure, exposed, shivering, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT smeared across his chest as a statement, has stumbled through the lines and is taken aside in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Do you recall the beginning, when optimism reigned? The era of early Bazball, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders promise a reboot, a brighter tomorrow, love, redemption among a group who all believe in the method.

How did it feel initially? Players celebrating basking in glory. Body art. Forearms. Jawlines. Elite male wellness energy. Oh sure, England’s players often say Bazball doesn’t actually exist, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

But we know what it is. It’s the player executing a stroke so unconventional it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of the captain at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, strong features, hair woven from beaver hide, truly contemporary you half-expect to notice and see him playing at mid-off stripped to the waist embracing nature.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, appearing as a cheerful animal smartly dressed, saying stuff like we’re challenging norms. And yes, the vibe, for a significant period, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Development stage. Unity enforced by rote learning of mantras. These ideas are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Does anyone else feel? The criticism, the outrage, the disappointment following the initial loss appears excessive, overdone. The performance was poor during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart in the field during a brief period when tactics failed, outplayed by the opponent imitating their style effectively, responsive to the situation, an athlete shining with a kind of light around him.

Now there is the pile-on, the anger, the sense of English Test cricket as a kind of abomination. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be purged, flame-throwered, destroyed through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of the veteran, marking successes modestly like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. What will this do to them?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge because of mistakes. Yet, mistakes are denied. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

In truth, approaching from the second Test, we are at a critical juncture in the lifespan of this thing. They might succeed in Brisbane with bold tactics. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. In case of defeat it feels like we really might be entering the death cult phase.

Prior to that, several aspects to consider on the topic. Previously, back in those heady early days, of light and heat, a column appeared calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which demonstrated because everyone knows a method to show something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers respond with anger objecting to the questioning of the beliefs.

The developments in the last few days are fascinating. It seems that hating Bazball has now become the cult. Social media is furious, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged supporters abroad missing out on play, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

Meanwhile, exists the larger scene of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration with the aggressive tourists, stating, the methods you value 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 because cricket is a cult. Or at least, the sport in England is closed, a circle, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with a long history of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the original sports washers. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a monarchy still exists.

The team have been sealed up within this world from a young age. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their upbringing, forming a new circle, a limited community, but now with 15 cool guys and a mentor encouraging individuality as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Live where your feet are. 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. What is Bazball? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with