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The Evolution of a Cult is often marked by clear stages.

1. The Grand Vision

A charismatic leader or coaches present an innovative concept that promises a cure for struggling players.

Thus we find ourselves. Plans are in motion to storm the compound down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from within. An isolated player, naked, nervous, the phrase ATTACKING MINDSET written on his body as a symbol, has emerged through the lines and is being led away in secrecy towards an inconclusive loan stint in county cricket.

Remember the start, when the world was still young? The era of early Bazball, of pure instinct.

2. Initial Adoration

Cult leaders offer a new start, a brighter tomorrow, camaraderie, salvation within a community with shared faith in the method.

What did it represent back then? A team united enjoying success. Body art. Muscles. Determination. Confident masculinity. Oh sure, The team will claim it’s not a real term, amusingly because if it doesn’t exist, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s the batsman attempting a move so outrageous it’s beyond belief. It’s the excitement of the captain at his peak, a demeanor suggesting: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, hair woven from beaver hide, so authentically Modern Savage you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and see him playing in the field stripped to the waist and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s Ben Duckett continuing to have permission speaking publicly, resembling a happy little woodland creature formally attired, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the energy, for a significant period, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Togetherness strengthened through repetition of mantras. These beliefs may seem irrational as a loyalty check.

Is it just me? The backlash, the anger, the sense of betrayal following the initial loss appears excessive, overdone. England batted badly during the match, as is typical there. They were savaged in the field during a brief period when tactics failed, outplayed by the opponent imitating their style effectively, adaptive to conditions, a man playing with a kind of light around him.

And now we have this the pile-on, the anger, the view of the sport as a disgrace. The feeling seems to be that defeat must be total, they need to lose righteously, to be cleansed, flame-throwered, overwhelmed through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the conventional tactics of the veteran, seen enjoying successes with a bashful smile similar to getting a pleasant gift. What will this do to them?

4. Hate Bonding

Challenges surface from failures in the plan. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

Ultimately, a few days before from the second Test, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the story of this movement. England could quite easily win in Brisbane in a blur of adrenal disruption. More likely, defeat could come swiftly. And if they do lose it feels like we really might be entering the death cult phase.

Before that happens, there are two things to note on the topic. Previously, at the start, of passion and hope, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which demonstrated as it’s known the best way of proving something definitely isn’t a cult is when its acolytes respond with anger rejecting criticism of the philosophy.

What has happened in the last few days are fascinating. Opposition to the style has now become the cult. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas cheated out of three days of cricket, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

Meanwhile, exists the larger scene of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance with the aggressive tourists, stating, hey, that thing you love and have developed as one way of separating yourself from the opposition, it’s just a joke ultimately.

Here lies the truth. Everything is a cult. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. Or rather, the sport in England is closed, a circle, a private event, a closed world with a long history of ceremonial past supporting it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the imperial sport of the nation, the pioneering brand. And notably, the country is a phenomenon, a structure of hidden ranks, a place that literally still has a king.

England’s cricketers have been isolated in this system from a young age. Attempting to break free, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their own experience, creating another a bubble, a limited community, however with 15 cool guys and a mentor encouraging individuality if you fit the mold.

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

With this mind, it might be appropriate to have some sympathy for the approach, to appreciate its good points, of which there are many. What does it represent? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with