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The Journey of a Phenomenon tends to be marked by specific steps.

1. The Grand Vision

An inspiring figure or leaders introduce an innovative concept that promises a solution for struggling players.

Thus we find ourselves. Preparations are underway to confront the system overseas. Tensions are rising. Smoke is rising from the sidelines. An isolated player, naked, shivering, the words HIGH RELEASE POINT written on his body in chicken blood, has stumbled from the field and is taken aside in secrecy for a temporary assignment in county cricket.

Do you recall the start, when optimism reigned? The days of Bazball 1.0, of uninhibited aggression.

2. Love-Bombing

Team architects promise a new start, optimism ahead, camaraderie, success within a community with shared faith in the philosophy.

What was this thing at first? A team united enjoying success. Tattoos. Strength. Jawlines. Peak performance vibes. Oh sure, The squad insist it’s not a real term, which is funny as it’s denied, what was that spectacle?

But we know the concept. It’s the player playing a shot so unconventional it has to be pixelated. It’s the excitement of the captain in his final form, a demeanor suggesting: thoughtful warrior, beard made of wood, natural look, so authentically Modern Savage you half-expect to glance over and notice he’s fielding in the field bare-chested holding a fish.

It’s the opener continuing to have permission speaking publicly, resembling a joyful figure smartly dressed, saying stuff like we are actively deconstructing the orange. Certainly, the atmosphere, for a significant period, was entirely positive.

3. The Growth Phase

Building period. Togetherness strengthened by rote learning of the cult’s slogans. These principles may seem irrational as a loyalty check.

Am I alone? The backlash, the fury, the feeling of letdown post-defeat seems too strong, overdone. The performance was poor during the match, as they often do in Australia. They were torn apart in the field during a brief period as the bowling and captaincy fell apart, manipulated by the batsman playing aggressively but smarter, adjusting to the pitch, a performer excelling with brilliance.

Now there is the pile-on, the rage, the view of the sport as a failure. The feeling seems to be that losing isn’t enough, they should be dismantled, to be scoured, destroyed, overwhelmed via traditional methods of the bowler’s action, the conventional tactics of Scott Boland, marking achievements with a bashful smile as if receiving a rewarding prize. How will they respond?

4. Hate Bonding

Problems arise due to setbacks. Yet, mistakes are denied. It starts to feed on hostility externally.

In truth, a few days before the next match, we are at a critical juncture in the story of this movement. They might succeed in the next Test with bold tactics. Alternatively, failure may follow. In case of defeat it seems we could be witnessing the death cult phase.

Prior to that, there are two things to consider about this. In the past, during the initial excitement, of passion and hope, a column appeared labeling it a movement. People were very angry, which demonstrated as it’s known how to confirm something definitely isn’t a cult is should followers react defensively denying scrutiny of its truths.

Recent events recently are equally notable. It seems that hating Bazball has turned into a movement. Online outrage is widespread, angry English pundits, pictures of upset travelling fans disappointed by the short match, reminiscent of investors demanding recourse.

Conversely, we have the wider backdrop of the opponent’s mixed ingrained annoyance at these weirdly passive-aggressive buccaneers, out there saying, your cherished traditions and have developed to distinguish yourselves from the opposition, it’s not serious ultimately.

And this is the real point. It’s all cults. The approach was a phenomenon as the game has its own culture. Or rather, the team has long been exclusive, a circle, an elite gathering, a closed world with a long history of ceremonial past defining it. It has long been where entry is limited. It’s the British pastime of the nation, the early image-makers. And notably, the nation has its own culture, a system of unknown levels, a royal family remains.

The team have been sealed up in this system from a young age. Seeking change, to create a less brutal environment, they are just repeating their own experience, building another enclosure, a closed circle, but now with 15 cool guys and a coach promoting authenticity as long as yourself is quite a lot like myself.

Stay present. Confront risks. However much you change, things stay similar.

Reflecting on this, it is perhaps the moment to have some sympathy for the approach, to acknowledge its merits, of which there are many. How to define it? Encouraging expression. Challenging orthodoxies. Batting aggressively|Attacking with