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The Journey of a Phenomenon is often marked by specific steps.

1. The Grand Vision

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

Thus we find ourselves. Plans are in motion to challenge the establishment down in Brisbane. Pressure is mounting. Smoke is rising from within. A lone figure, naked, anxious, the slogan POSITIVE INTENT displayed prominently as a symbol, has emerged from the field and is removed in secrecy to a different team elsewhere.

Do you ever miss the early days, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Love-Bombing

Cult leaders promise a fresh beginning, hope for a future, camaraderie, redemption within a community united in belief in the philosophy.

How did it feel at first? A team united feeling good. Tattoos. Forearms. Jawlines. Confident masculinity. Admittedly, The squad often say they don’t use the label, amusingly since it’s not recognized, what exactly did I just watch?

Yet it’s clear what it is. It’s the player executing a stroke so depraved it’s beyond belief. It’s the thrill of the captain at his peak, a look that says: pensive Nordic god, beard made of wood, natural look, so authentically Modern Savage you half-expect to glance over and see him playing at mid-off bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s the batsman still being allowed to talk in press conferences, appearing as a cheerful animal formally attired, uttering phrases such as we are actively deconstructing the orange. Indeed, the energy, initially, was entirely positive.

3. Expansion Period

Building period. Togetherness strengthened through repetition of mantras. These principles may seem irrational to prove commitment.

Is it just me? The criticism, the fury, the feeling of letdown following the initial loss seems too strong, overdone. England batted badly in Perth, as is typical there. They were torn apart while bowling for a couple of hours when tactics failed, manipulated by Travis Head batting like England but better, adjusting to the pitch, an athlete shining with a kind of light around him.

Currently, we see the attacks, the frustration, the view of the sport as a failure. The consensus is that losing isn’t enough, they need to lose righteously, to be scoured, obliterated, destroyed through sheer skill of Mitchell Starc’s movements, the low-fi orthodoxies of the veteran, seen enjoying achievements modestly similar to getting a nice new fishing rod. What impact will this have?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise because of mistakes. But the cult cannot admit errors. It starts to feed on anger towards critics.

In truth, approaching the upcoming game, we have now reached a delicious point of tension in the lifespan of this thing. Victory is possible in the next Test in a blur of adrenal disruption. Alternatively, defeat could come swiftly. Should they fail it seems we really might be entering the decline.

Prior to that, there are two things worth saying regarding this. More than two years ago, back in those heady early days, of passion and hope, an piece was published calling it a phenomenon. Criticism followed, which demonstrated as it’s known how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is if supporters react defensively objecting to the questioning of the philosophy.

Recent events lately is just as interesting. Criticism of the approach is now the trend. We have a uniformly angry internet, critical analysts, pictures of upset travelling fans cheated out of three days of cricket, similar to timeshare owners seeking justice.

Meanwhile, exists the larger scene of the host’s complex ingrained annoyance towards the unconventional visitors, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have honed as part of your identity from the opposition, it’s not serious after all.

Here lies the truth. All movements are similar. Bazball was a cult since the sport itself is insular. Or rather, English cricket has always been a cult, a circle, an elite gathering, a restricted environment with centuries of tradition and mystery behind it. Historically, this was a place where power and access are hoarded. It’s the colonial game of the nation, the early image-makers. And guess what, Britain is itself a cult, a structure of hidden ranks, a royal family remains.

The team have been sealed up within this world since childhood. Attempting to break free, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their past, creating another a bubble, a limited community, but now with 15 cool guys and a leader who wants you to be yourself if you fit the mold.

Focus on the moment. Embrace challenges. But no matter how fast and far you run, you’re always basically in the same place.

With this mind, now is the time to offer compassion for the movement, to recognize its positives, that are numerous. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Questioning traditions. Batting aggressively|Attacking with