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The Life Cycle of a Cult is often characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Core Concept

A charismatic leader or figureheads present a revolutionary approach that promises a solution for struggling players.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to confront the system down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Conflict emerges from the sidelines. An isolated player, naked, nervous, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT smeared across his chest as a statement, has come staggering through the lines and is being led away in secrecy for a temporary assignment elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the start, when everything was fresh? The era of early Bazball, of Bazball without brains.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Movement founders guarantee a fresh beginning, optimism ahead, camaraderie, redemption among a group with shared faith in the philosophy.

What did it represent back then? A team united basking in glory. Tattoos. Forearms. Determination. Peak performance vibes. Admittedly, England’s players will claim they don’t use the label, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what was that spectacle?

However, everyone understands what it is. It’s the batsman playing a shot so unconventional it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of the leader at his peak, an expression conveying: pensive Nordic god, rugged appearance, natural look, truly contemporary you almost imagine to notice and see him playing at mid-off bare-chested embracing nature.

It’s Ben Duckett often seen to talk in press conferences, resembling a joyful figure smartly dressed, expressing thoughts like we’re breaking down traditions. And yes, the vibe, for quite a long time, was only good energy.

3. The Growth Phase

Development stage. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of key phrases. These beliefs can appear contradictory to prove commitment.

Am I alone? The criticism, the anger, the disappointment after the first Ashes Test defeat feels overblown, overdone. The performance was poor during the match, as history shows. They were savaged in the field for a couple of hours when tactics failed, manipulated by the opponent imitating their style effectively, adaptive to conditions, an athlete shining with aura.

Currently, we see the attacks, the rage, the perception of the team as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, defeated via traditional methods of the bowler’s action, the conventional tactics of the veteran, marking achievements modestly like he’s just been given a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. External Conflict

Challenges surface due to setbacks. However, faults are ignored. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

The fact remains, approaching from the second Test, we’ve entered a critical juncture in the story of this movement. Victory is possible overseas through aggressive play. Alternatively, they could lose just as quickly. Should they fail it appears we may see the final stage.

Prior to that, there are two things to note regarding this. More than two years ago, during the initial excitement, of optimism and energy, a column appeared labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which demonstrated as it’s known the best way of proving lack of cult status is if supporters respond with anger denying scrutiny of the philosophy.

Recent events in the last few days is just as interesting. It seems that hating Bazball has now become the cult. Online outrage is widespread, disappointed commentators, pictures of upset supporters abroad disappointed by the short match, similar to investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of the host’s complex deep-seated frustration at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, stating, hey, that thing you love and have fostered and nurtured as part of your identity from the opposition, it’s just a joke in the end old boy.

Here lies the truth. All movements are similar. The style was a trend since the sport itself is insular. Or rather, English cricket has always been a cult, a circle, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with two hundred years of ceremonial past behind it. This has always been where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the pioneering brand. And surprisingly, the nation has its own culture, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been enclosed in this environment for years. In trying to escape from it, to foster positivity, they are just repeating their own experience, forming a new circle, a closed circle, however with a new team and a leader promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Stay present. Run towards the danger. Despite efforts, you’re always basically in the same place.

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