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The Journey of a Cult is often defined by specific steps.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or figureheads introduce a new and transcendent idea offering a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. They’re getting ready to confront the system in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. A lone figure, vulnerable, nervous, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT displayed prominently as a symbol, has come staggering from the field and is removed with discretion towards an inconclusive loan stint at Derbyshire.

Do you recall the early days, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Team architects guarantee a reboot, a brighter tomorrow, support, salvation within a community who all believe in the big idea.

How did it feel initially? A team united basking in glory. Tattoos. Muscles. Determination. Confident masculinity. Of course, The team insist it’s not a real term, ironically as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

But we know its essence. It’s Harry Brook attempting a move so unconventional it defies description. It’s the thrill of Ben Stokes in his final form, an expression conveying: focused titan, beard made of wood, natural look, truly contemporary you half-expect to look down and find him positioned at mid-off bare-chested embracing nature.

It’s Ben Duckett still being allowed addressing the media, resembling a joyful figure formally attired, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the vibe, for a significant period, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Unity enforced by rote learning of mantras. These beliefs are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Does anyone else feel? The reaction, the anger, the disappointment after the first Ashes Test defeat feels overblown, overdone. The performance was poor during the match, as is typical there. They were torn apart while bowling in a short span when tactics failed, manipulated by the batsman batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, a man playing with aura.

And now we have this the pile-on, the rage, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be scoured, obliterated, destroyed through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, out there celebrating his wickets with a bashful smile as if receiving a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. External Conflict

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

Ultimately, a few days before from the second Test, we have now reached a critical juncture in the lifespan of this thing. England could quite easily win in Brisbane through aggressive play. More likely, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it feels like we may see the final stage.

Ahead of this, several aspects to consider regarding this. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which demonstrated because everyone knows a method to show lack of cult status is should followers send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages rejecting criticism of its truths.

The developments lately are fascinating. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. Social media is furious, critical analysts, images of frustrated followers overseas disappointed by the short match, similar to people wanting fairness.

Conversely, exists the larger scene of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, stating, the methods you value and have honed as part of your identity from the opposition, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

Here lies the truth. Everything is a cult. The approach was a phenomenon because cricket is a cult. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a circle, a garden party, a closed world with two hundred years of tradition and mystery behind it. Historically, this was a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the imperial sport of the nation, the early image-makers. And guess what, the nation has its own culture, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a place that literally still has a king.

The team have been sealed up in this system since childhood. In trying to escape from it, to foster positivity, they are just repeating their past, building another enclosure, a limited community, but doing it this time with a new team and a coach who wants you to be yourself as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Stay present. Confront risks. But no matter how fast and far you run, you’re always basically in the same place.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to offer compassion for Bazball, to recognize its positives, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Creating a sense of freedom. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with