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The Evolution of a Cult tends to be characterized by clear stages.

1. The Big Idea

A dominant personality or leaders present a revolutionary approach offering a cure for disconnected individuals.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to challenge the establishment in Australia. The gunships are circling. Signs of trouble appear from the sidelines. A lone figure, vulnerable, anxious, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest as a symbol, has emerged through the lines and is taken aside with discretion to a different team elsewhere.

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

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders offer a reboot, optimism ahead, love, salvation together united in belief in the philosophy.

How did it feel back then? Just men on a balcony feeling good. Tattoos. Muscles. Jawlines. Peak performance vibes. Of course, England’s players insist it’s not a real term, which is funny because if it doesn’t exist, what exactly did I just watch?

However, everyone understands its essence. It’s the player attempting a move so depraved it defies description. It’s the adrenaline of the leader at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: pensive Nordic god, strong features, untamed style, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to glance over and notice he’s fielding in the field stripped to the waist and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission addressing the media, resembling a cheerful animal formally attired, uttering phrases such as we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the atmosphere, for quite a long time, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These principles are often illogical as a loyalty check.

Am I alone? The backlash, the fury, the feeling of letdown post-defeat seems too strong, unwarranted. The performance was poor on the field, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart while bowling during a brief period as plans unraveled, carved around by Travis Head batting like England but better, responsive to the situation, a man playing with aura.

Currently, we see the pile-on, the frustration, the perception of the team as a failure. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they must be humbled, to be cleansed, obliterated, defeated by the vengeful purity of the bowler’s action, the conventional tactics of the bowler, marking his wickets humbly like he’s just been given a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. The Backlash Phase

Challenges surface from failures in the plan. Yet, mistakes are denied. It turns to anger towards critics.

Ultimately, approaching the next match, we have now reached an intriguing moment in the journey of this thing. They might succeed in Brisbane with bold tactics. Probably, failure may follow. Should they fail it feels like we may see the death cult phase.

Before that happens, there are two things to consider regarding this. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of optimism and energy, a column appeared calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which proved the point as it’s known how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers react defensively objecting to the questioning of its truths.

What has happened recently are equally notable. Opposition to the style is now the trend. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset supporters abroad disappointed by the short match, similar to investors demanding recourse.

On the other hand, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, stating, hey, that thing you love and have developed as one way of separating yourself from others, well, it’s all a bit of a gag after all.

And this is the real point. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, the sport in England is closed, a clique, a garden party, a closed world with centuries of opaque and ritualistic cult history supporting it. Historically, this was a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the imperial sport of the nation, the pioneering brand. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been enclosed in this system since childhood. Attempting to break free, to foster positivity, they are simply replicating their own experience, 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. But no matter how fast and far you run, you remain stuck.

Reflecting on this, now is the time to offer compassion for the approach, to appreciate its good points, which are significant. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with