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The Life Cycle of a Cult tends to be characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or figureheads present a revolutionary approach pledging a panacea for alienated and vulnerable people.

And so it goes. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment overseas. Pressure is mounting. Conflict emerges from the out-houses. An isolated player, exposed, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently as a symbol, has emerged into view and is being led away under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint elsewhere.

Do you recall the beginning, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Initial Adoration

Team architects guarantee a new start, a brighter tomorrow, love, redemption within a community united in belief in the philosophy.

What did it represent at first? Players celebrating feeling good. Ink. Strength. Focus. Elite male wellness energy. Admittedly, England’s players insist it’s not a real term, which is funny because if it doesn’t exist, what did we see?

But we know the concept. It’s the batsman attempting a move so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of the captain in his final form, a look that says: focused titan, rugged appearance, hair woven from beaver hide, truly contemporary you half-expect to look down and find him positioned at mid-off stripped to the waist and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the batsman continuing to have permission speaking publicly, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature formally attired, uttering phrases such as we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the atmosphere, for quite a long time, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Cohesion maintained through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs can appear contradictory to prove commitment.

Does anyone else feel? The criticism, the outrage, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss feels overblown, unwarranted. England batted badly during the match, as is typical there. They were torn apart defensively during a brief period as plans unraveled, manipulated by the batsman imitating their style effectively, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with a kind of light around him.

And now we have this the attacks, the frustration, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they must be humbled, to be scoured, obliterated, destroyed through sheer skill of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, marking his wickets with a bashful smile like he’s just been given a nice new fishing rod. How will they respond?

4. The Backlash Phase

Issues emerge because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It turns to hatred of the outside world.

The fact remains, half a week out the upcoming game, we are at an intriguing moment in the lifespan of this approach. England could quite easily win overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, failure may follow. In case of defeat it feels like we could be witnessing the final stage.

Prior to that, a couple of points worth saying on the topic. More than two years ago, at the start, of passion and hope, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which proved the point because everyone knows a method to show that it’s not a closed group is should followers send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages rejecting criticism of the philosophy.

What has happened lately are equally notable. Criticism of the approach has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, images of frustrated travelling fans disappointed by the short match, like a room full of people wanting fairness.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have developed as part of your identity from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag in the end old boy.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult because cricket is a cult. Or rather, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with centuries of tradition and mystery defining it. Historically, this was a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the pioneering brand. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been sealed up within this world from a young age. In trying to escape from it, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their past, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but now with a modern squad and a coach who wants you to be yourself provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Run towards the danger. But no matter how fast and far you run, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for Bazball, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with