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The Life Cycle of a Movement tends to be characterized by distinct phases.

1. The Core Concept

An inspiring figure or coaches present a revolutionary approach that promises a solution for alienated and vulnerable people.

So here we are. Preparations are underway to confront the system down in Brisbane. The gunships are circling. Smoke is rising from the out-houses. A lone figure, naked, anxious, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body as a statement, has come staggering through the lines and is removed in secrecy for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Remember the beginning, when the world was still young? The initial phase, of uninhibited aggression.

2. The Honeymoon Phase

Team architects promise a reboot, hope for a future, camaraderie, salvation within a community with shared faith in the philosophy.

How did it feel initially? Players celebrating basking in glory. Body art. Strength. Jawlines. Peak performance vibes. Of course, The team will claim Bazball doesn’t actually exist, amusingly as it’s denied, what did we see?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s Harry Brook executing a stroke so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the adrenaline of the leader at his peak, a look that says: focused titan, strong features, hair woven from beaver hide, genuinely raw you wouldn’t be surprised to look down and find him positioned on the ground shirtless and cradling a wild salmon.

It’s the opener still being allowed to talk in press conferences, out there looking like a happy little woodland creature in a waistcoat, expressing thoughts like we are actively deconstructing the orange. And yes, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was uplifting.

3. The Growth Phase

Growth phase. Unity enforced through repetition of the cult’s slogans. These principles can appear contradictory to prove commitment.

Does anyone else feel? The criticism, the outrage, the sense of betrayal post-defeat feels overblown, too much. England batted badly during the match, as is typical there. They were torn apart while bowling during a brief period as plans unraveled, outplayed by Travis Head batting like England but better, adaptive to conditions, a performer excelling with aura.

And now we have this the pile-on, the frustration, the perception of the team as a failure. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be purged, destroyed, destroyed via traditional methods of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the low-fi orthodoxies of Scott Boland, marking achievements with a bashful smile similar to getting a rewarding prize. What will this do to them?

4. Hate Bonding

Issues emerge due to setbacks. However, faults are ignored. It begins to thrive on anger towards critics.

Ultimately, half a week out the upcoming game, we are at a critical juncture in the lifespan of this movement. England could quite easily win in the next Test in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, defeat could come swiftly. Should they fail it feels like we may see the death cult phase.

Prior to that, there are two things worth saying regarding this. More than two years ago, at the start, of light and heat, I wrote an article calling it a phenomenon. People were very angry, which was helpful since it’s clear the best way of proving lack of cult status is if supporters react defensively denying scrutiny of the beliefs.

Recent events lately are equally notable. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. Social media is furious, disappointed commentators, shots of angry middle-aged followers overseas missing out on play, similar to timeshare owners seeking justice.

Meanwhile, there is the broader context of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance with the aggressive tourists, claiming, your cherished traditions and have fostered and nurtured as one way of separating yourself culturally from us, well, it’s all a bit of a gag ultimately.

Here lies the truth. It’s all cults. Bazball was a cult as the game has its own culture. Or rather, the sport in England is closed, a group, a garden party, a closed world with centuries of ceremonial past behind it. Historically, this was where influence is guarded. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the pioneering brand. And guess what, the country is a phenomenon, a structure of hidden ranks, a monarchy still exists.

The players have been enclosed within this world for years. Seeking change, to build a better atmosphere, they are mirroring their own experience, forming a new circle, an exclusive group, but now with 15 cool guys and a leader promoting authenticity if you fit the mold.

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

Considering this, now is the time to offer compassion for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, which are significant. How to define it? Promoting liberation. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with