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The Journey of a Cult is often characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or coaches present an innovative concept that promises a panacea for disconnected individuals.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment in Australia. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from the out-houses. A lone figure, vulnerable, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently in chicken blood, has come staggering through the lines and is being led away under a blanket towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Do you recall the start, when optimism reigned? The initial phase, of Bazball without brains.

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders guarantee a fresh beginning, a brighter tomorrow, camaraderie, success within a community who all believe in the big idea.

How did it feel initially? A team united enjoying success. Ink. Muscles. Determination. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, The squad insist it’s not a real term, ironically as it’s denied, what exactly did I just watch?

But we know the concept. It’s the player playing a shot so unconventional it’s beyond belief. It’s the thrill of the captain in his final form, a demeanor suggesting: focused titan, strong features, hair woven from beaver hide, truly contemporary you almost imagine to look down and notice he’s fielding at mid-off shirtless holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a cheerful animal formally attired, uttering phrases such as we’re challenging norms. And yes, the energy, for a significant period, was uplifting.

3. Expansion Period

Growth phase. Cohesion maintained through repetition of key phrases. These beliefs are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Am I alone? The criticism, the anger, the disappointment following the initial loss appears excessive, too much. England batted badly in Perth, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart in the field for a couple of hours as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, a performer excelling with a kind of light around him.

And now we have this the attacks, the frustration, the perception of the team as a kind of abomination. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they need to lose righteously, to be purged, obliterated, destroyed by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, seen enjoying his wickets modestly similar to getting a rewarding prize. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

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

The fact remains, approaching the upcoming game, we are at a critical juncture in the journey of this movement. Victory is possible in the next Test through aggressive play. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. And if they do lose it seems we may see the decline.

Ahead of this, there are two things worth saying on the topic. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. There was outrage, which proved the point as it’s known the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters send hundreds of furiously one-eyed messages denying scrutiny of its truths.

What has happened lately is just as interesting. It seems that hating Bazball has now become the cult. Social media is furious, critical analysts, images of frustrated supporters abroad disappointed by the short match, reminiscent of timeshare owners seeking justice.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have developed as part of your identity culturally from us, it’s not serious ultimately.

This is the core issue. All movements are similar. The style was a trend as the game has its own culture. In fact, English cricket has always been a cult, a group, a private event, a closed world with a long history of tradition and mystery behind it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the colonial game of England, the original sports washers. And notably, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a place that literally still has a king.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed in this system since childhood. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their upbringing, forming a new circle, a closed circle, but doing it this time with 15 cool guys and a coach encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Focus on the moment. Confront risks. However much you change, you remain stuck.

With this mind, it might be appropriate to have some sympathy for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. What is Bazball? Creating a sense of freedom. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with