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The Life Cycle of a Cult tends to be defined by specific steps.

1. The Core Concept

A dominant personality or coaches introduce an innovative concept offering a cure for struggling players.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to confront the system in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from the out-houses. An isolated player, exposed, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET smeared across his chest as a statement, has come staggering into view and is taken aside with discretion towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Do you recall the beginning, when everything was fresh? The days of Bazball 1.0, of pure instinct.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Cult leaders offer a fresh beginning, hope for a future, support, salvation among a group united in belief in the philosophy.

What was this thing back then? A team united basking in glory. Ink. Forearms. Jawlines. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, The squad will claim Bazball doesn’t actually exist, which is funny since it’s not recognized, what did we see?

But we know its essence. It’s the batsman executing a stroke so outrageous it has to be pixelated. It’s the excitement of the captain in his final form, a look that says: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, genuinely raw you almost imagine to notice and notice he’s fielding in the field shirtless holding a fish.

It’s Ben Duckett often seen addressing the media, resembling a happy little woodland creature in a waistcoat, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the vibe, initially, was only good energy.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of key phrases. These beliefs are often illogical to prove commitment.

Am I alone? The criticism, the anger, the disappointment after the first Ashes Test defeat appears excessive, unwarranted. The batting collapsed during the match, as history shows. They were dominated in the field in a short span as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, outplayed by the batsman imitating their style effectively, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with aura.

Now there is the attacks, the anger, the view of the sport as a kind of abomination. The consensus is that England don’t just need to lose, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, flame-throwered, destroyed by the vengeful purity of the pace attack, the simple basics of the bowler, marking successes with a bashful smile similar to getting a pleasant gift. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Challenges surface due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

The fact remains, a few days before the upcoming game, we have now reached a critical juncture in the journey of this approach. England could quite easily win overseas with bold tactics. Probably, failure may follow. In case of defeat it feels like we could be witnessing the final stage.

Prior to that, there are two things worth saying regarding this. Previously, at the start, of light and heat, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which was helpful as it’s known how to confirm that it’s not a closed group is when its acolytes respond with anger denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

What has happened lately are equally notable. Opposition to the style has turned into a movement. Online outrage is widespread, critical analysts, pictures of upset supporters abroad missing out on play, like a room full of timeshare owners seeking justice.

Conversely, exists the larger scene of Australia’s more nuanced ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured to distinguish yourselves culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

This is the core issue. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, English cricket has always been a cult, a clique, an elite gathering, a closed world with a long history of tradition and mystery behind it. It has long been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the British pastime of the British, the pioneering brand. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a series of esoteric hierarchies, a monarchy still exists.

England’s cricketers have been isolated in this system for years. Attempting to break free, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their upbringing, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but now with 15 cool guys and a coach who wants you to be yourself if you fit the mold.

Live where your feet are. Run towards the danger. Despite efforts, things stay similar.

Considering this, it is perhaps the moment to show understanding for the approach, to appreciate its good points, which are significant. What is Bazball? Promoting liberation. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with