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The Life Cycle of a Cult can be marked by distinct phases.

1. The Core Concept

An inspiring figure or leaders propose a new and transcendent idea offering a cure for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment in Australia. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. A lone figure, vulnerable, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT displayed prominently in chicken blood, has stumbled from the field and is removed with discretion for a temporary assignment at Derbyshire.

Remember the early days, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders offer a fresh beginning, a brighter tomorrow, love, salvation within a community who all believe in the philosophy.

What did it represent back then? Players celebrating basking in glory. Body art. Strength. Jawlines. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, The squad insist it’s not a real term, ironically as it’s denied, what did we see?

But we know what it is. It’s Harry Brook playing a shot so depraved it defies description. It’s the thrill of the captain in ultimate mode, an expression conveying: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, untamed style, so authentically Modern Savage you half-expect to notice and see him playing in the field shirtless embracing nature.

It’s the opener often seen speaking publicly, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature formally attired, uttering phrases such as we’re challenging norms. Certainly, the atmosphere, for quite a long time, was only good energy.

3. Expansion Period

Development stage. Togetherness strengthened via memorization of the cult’s slogans. These beliefs are often illogical as a test of “true belief”.

Is it just me? The backlash, the outrage, the sense of betrayal post-defeat seems too strong, unwarranted. England batted badly during the match, as is typical there. They were torn apart while bowling in a short span when tactics failed, outplayed by Travis Head playing aggressively but smarter, responsive to the situation, a man playing with aura.

Currently, we see the attacks, the anger, the view of the sport as a kind of abomination. The opinion suggests that losing isn’t enough, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, flame-throwered, defeated via traditional methods of the pace attack, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, seen enjoying achievements modestly as if receiving a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise because of mistakes. However, faults are ignored. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

The fact remains, approaching the next match, we have now reached a critical juncture in the story of this movement. They might succeed overseas in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, failure may follow. Should they fail it feels like we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Before that happens, several aspects to note on the topic. More than two years ago, at the start, of passion and hope, a column appeared suggesting Bazball was a cult. People were very angry, which proved the point because everyone knows how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters respond with anger objecting to the questioning of its truths.

Recent events in the last few days is just as interesting. It seems that hating Bazball has turned into a movement. Social media is furious, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset supporters abroad missing out on play, like a room full of timeshare owners seeking justice.

Meanwhile, we have the wider backdrop of Australia’s more nuanced more culturally hard-wired exasperation at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, stating, your cherished traditions and have honed to distinguish yourselves from others, it’s just a joke ultimately.

And this is the real point. It’s all cults. The style was a trend since the sport itself is insular. Or at least, the team has long been exclusive, a group, a garden party, a restricted environment with centuries of tradition and mystery supporting it. This has always been a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the early image-makers. And guess what, the country is a phenomenon, a structure of hidden ranks, a place that literally still has a king.

The players have been enclosed within this world since childhood. In trying to escape from it, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their past, building another enclosure, an exclusive group, but doing it this time with a new team and a leader encouraging individuality provided you conform.

Stay present. Confront risks. However much you change, you’re always basically in the same place.

Considering this, it might be appropriate to offer compassion for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, that are numerous. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with