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The Evolution of a Cult can be characterized by specific steps.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or leaders present a new and transcendent idea that promises a cure for disconnected individuals.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. One individual, naked, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET written on his body as a symbol, has come staggering through the lines and is removed in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Do you recall the start, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. Love-Bombing

Team architects offer a new start, a brighter tomorrow, love, redemption within a community who all believe in the big idea.

How did it feel initially? Players celebrating enjoying success. Body art. Muscles. Jawlines. Confident masculinity. Of course, The squad will claim it’s not a real term, amusingly since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know its essence. It’s the player playing a shot so unconventional it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of Ben Stokes at his peak, an expression conveying: focused titan, rugged appearance, natural look, truly contemporary you almost imagine to look down and notice he’s fielding at mid-off stripped to the waist and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the opener still being allowed addressing the media, appearing as a cheerful animal in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the energy, for a significant period, was entirely positive.

3. A New Life

Growth phase. Unity enforced through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These ideas can appear contradictory to prove commitment.

Am I alone? The backlash, the anger, the feeling of letdown post-defeat seems too strong, overdone. The batting collapsed on the field, as history shows. They were savaged in the field for a couple of hours as plans unraveled, outplayed by the opponent imitating their style effectively, adjusting to the pitch, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the attacks, the frustration, the perception of the team as a kind of abomination. The opinion suggests that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be cleansed, destroyed, overwhelmed through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of the veteran, seen enjoying achievements modestly like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. The Backlash Phase

Problems arise from failures in the plan. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to anger towards critics.

In truth, half a week out from the second Test, we are at an intriguing moment in the lifespan of this movement. England could quite easily win in Brisbane with bold tactics. More likely, failure may follow. And if they do lose it appears we may see the decline.

Before that happens, several aspects worth saying about this. Previously, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, I wrote an article suggesting Bazball was a cult. Criticism followed, which proved the point as it’s known how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes react defensively rejecting criticism of its truths.

The developments in the last few days are fascinating. It seems that hating Bazball is now the trend. Social media is furious, angry English pundits, shots of angry middle-aged travelling fans disappointed by the short match, like a room full of timeshare owners seeking justice.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have honed as part of your identity from the opposition, it’s just a joke in the end old boy.

Here lies the truth. All movements are similar. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or rather, the sport in England is closed, a circle, a private event, a restricted environment with a long history of tradition and mystery supporting it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the colonial game of England, the original sports washers. And surprisingly, the country is a phenomenon, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a royal family remains.

The players have been sealed up in this environment for years. Attempting to break free, to build a better atmosphere, they are just repeating their past, creating another a bubble, a limited community, but now with 15 cool guys and a leader encouraging individuality if you fit the mold.

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 have some sympathy for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Defying norms. Batting aggressively|Attacking with